Another case has been filed against former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murad Hassan and Youtuber Muhammad Mohiuddin Helal Nahid in a Pabna court for derogatory comments about BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and his family members on social media. Advocate Arshed Alam, president of the Pabna District Nationalist Lawyers Forum, filed the case before the Pabna Chief Judicial Magistrate cognizance court on Wednesday morning. Read: More trouble brewing for Murad, another case filed According to the case statement Murad made derogatory remarks on a social media interview on December 1 about Zia family. Arshed said that all the members of the Pabna Nationalist Lawyers Forum were hurt and thus filed this defamation suit. Read: Court rejects plea to file case against Murad in Gaibandha Murad  was made the first accused and presented Helal Nahid the second in this case. Arshed said, Murad  made indedent remarks about Barrister Zaima Rahman. It's not just disgracing Zaima, this is disgraceful for all women.”

More trouble is brewing for former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murad Hassan. After a lawyer in Cumilla sued Murad under the Digital Security Act, another advocate in Chandpur has filed a case in a local court against the former Minister for allegedly making deregoratory remarks against the family of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman during an interview on social media. YouTuber Mohammad Mohiuddin Helal Nahid, who also published the interview on his Facebook page, has also been sued by Sharif Mahmud Ferdous Shahin, president of Chandpur Nationalist Lawyers Forum. The case was filed under sections 509, 153(A) and 505(A) of the Bangladesh Penal Code in the court of additional chief judicial magistrate Mohammad Hasan on Monday afternoon. Also read: Court rejects plea to file case against Murad in Gaibandha In his petition, the Chandpur lawyer claimed that on December 1, Murad used highly derogatory language about the Zia family and Barrister Zaima Rahman during an interview with Helal Nahid which was later posted on his verified Facebook page. On December 7, Murad quit the Cabinet following the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, after he came under criticism from various quarters for multiple leaked recordings containing indecent remarks by him. On December 8, a writ petition was filed in the High Court challenging the legality of Murad's position in Parliament on the same ground. On December 12, advocate Omar Faruk, secretary of Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, filed a case against Murad under DSA with the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal for his misogynist and derogatory remarks. Also read: DSA case against Murad for derogatory comments on Zia family On December 19, advocate Atiqul Islam, former president of Cumilla municipal BNP and former general secretary of Cumilla Bar Association, lodged a case under DSA in the Judicial Magistrate Hakim Majharul Islam's Cognizance Court-1 against Murad. Murad has already been stripped of the post of health and population affairs secretary of Jamalpur district unit of the Awami League.

Murad Hassan, who resigned as State Minister for Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday, has been relieved from the post of Health and Population Affairs Secretary of Jamalpur district unit Awami League. The Jamalpur district unit of the ruling party took the decision in an emergency meeting held at its Bakultala office in the afternoon, said a media release. According to the press release, the punitive action against Murad, also the MP of Jamalpur-4 constituency, was taken for damaging the party’s image and for his involvement in anti-disciplinary activities. The meeting also decided to send a letter to the central committee of Bangladesh Awami League for taking a final decision in this regard. Earlier in the day, Murad Hassan quit the cabinet following the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for his offensive and indecent remarks on women. The under-fire junior minister submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday showing personal reasons for quitting his job. Murad had been under increasing criticism by various quarters for his disrespectful remarks on women in an interview on social media. A number of audios and videos containing indecent remarks by Murad Hassan also went viral on social media during the last few days. A two-year-old phone conversation of the junior minister with actor Mamnun Hasan Emon and actress Mahiya Mahi recently went viral on social media. In that audio clip, Murad made "derogatory comments" on the actress, threatened her and gave her an alleged indecent proposal. On Monday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked State Minister for Information Murad Hassan to resign from the cabinet by Tuesday for his recent derogatory remarks on social media. Demanding his immediate resignation, women and rights bodies and political parties slammed Murad for the indecent remarks he made against women.

Soon after submitting his resignation letter, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murad Hassan on Tuesday apologized to women. In a post on his verified Facebook profile, Murad wrote around 1pm, "If I've made any mistake or if my words have hurt mothers and sisters, then forgive me.” He also said he will abide by forever all the decisions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Read: Murad’s recent remarks embarrassed party, govt: Information Minister Earlier in the day, Murad resigned as State Minister for Information and Broadcasting following the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for his offensive and indecent remarks on women. The under-fire junior minister submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister showing personal reasons for quitting his job. Murad Hassan had been under increasing criticism by various quarters for his various disrespectful remarks on women. A number of audios and videos containing indecent remarks by Murad Hassan also went viral on social media during the last few days. A two-year-old phone conversation of the junior minister with actor Mamnun Hasan Emon and actress Mahiya Mahi recently went viral on social media. In that audio clip, Murad made "derogatory comments" on the actress, threatened her and gave her an alleged indecent proposal. On Monday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked State Minister for Information Murad Hassan to resign from the cabinet by Tuesday for his recent derogatory remarks on social media. Read: Junior minister Murad Hassan quits at PM’s instruction BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday demanded Murad apologise publicly and withdraw his “politically motivated, racial and derogatory” remarks against women and the Zia family. During an interview on social media recently, the junior minister described BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman as a ‘whoreson’ and alleged that Zaima Rahman, Tarique’s daughter, cannot sleep without the company of a black man every night.

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has said both the government and Awami League felt embarrassed with the indecent remarks of State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murad Hassan who resigned on Tuesday. “We’ve noticed some changes in Murad over the past few days and his recent remarks embarrassed both the government and the party. That’s why the Prime Minister has asked him to quit,” he said while talking to reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Gias Uddin, public relations officer of Murad, submitted his resignation letter to the Cabinet around 3 pm, he said. Read:BNP now demands Murad’s arrest, punishment Replying to a question, the minister said Murad is the Health Affairs secretary of Jamalpur district unit Awami League and they will decide whether Murad will remain there in his post or not. Replying to another question, Hasan said, “Murad made his remarks without any consultation with the party and the Prime Minister.” Earlier in the day, Murad Hassan resigned as State Minister for Information and Broadcasting following the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for his offensive and indecent remarks on women. The under-fire junior minister submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday showing personal reasons for quitting his job. Murad Hassan had been under increasing criticism by various quarters for his disrespectful remarks on women in an interview on social media. A number of audios and videos containing indecent remarks by Murad Hassan also went viral on social media during the last few days. Read: Junior minister Murad Hassan quits at PM’s instruction A two-year-old phone conversation of the junior minister with actor Mamnun Hasan Emon and actress Mahiya Mahi recently went viral on social media. In that audio clip, Murad made "derogatory comments" on the actress, threatened her and gave her an alleged indecent proposal. On Monday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked State Minister for Information Murad Hassan to resign from the cabinet by Tuesday for his recent derogatory remarks on social media. Demanding his immediate resignation, women and rights bodies and political parties slammed Murad for the indecent remarks he made against women.

Disgraced State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murad Hassan has resigned from the cabinet following the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for his offensive and indecent remarks on women. The under-fire junior minister submitted his resignation letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday showing personal reasons for quitting his job. "Yes, State Minister Murad Hassan’s resignation letter, addressing the Honorable Prime Minister, reached the Information Ministry. It’ll be forwarded to the Cabinet Division for taking necessary steps,” a senior official told UNB wishing anonymity. Murad Hassan had been under increasing criticism by various quarters for his disrespectful remarks on women in an interview on social media. A number of audios and videos containing indecent remarks by Murad Hassan also went viral on social media during the last few days. Also read: PM asked junior minister Murad to resign by Tuesday: Obaidul Quader A two-year-old phone conversation of the junior minister with actor Mamnun Hasan Emon and actress Mahiya Mahi recently went viral on social media. In that audio clip, Murad made "derogatory comments" on the actress, threatened her and gave her an alleged indecent proposal.

The High Court on Tuesday directed Bangladesh's telecom regulator to take necessary steps to remove all objectionable audios and videos of State Minister for Information Murad Hassan from social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. A division bench of Justices M Enayetur Rahim and Md Mostafizur Rahman gave the order to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and also asked Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar to submit an action-taken report by Wednesday morning, in the wake of a plea by a leading Supreme Court lawyer. In his petition, barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman claimed that such "indecent, obscene audios and videos can have adverse effects on the society”. “The responsible agencies of the government should have removed these contents but as they did not, I’ve sought the High Court’s direction in public interest," he said in his plea. Also read: PM asked junior minister Murad to resign by Tuesday: Obaidul Quader During a recent social media interview, the junior Minister made "derogatory" remarks on opposition BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman. Meanwhile, a two-year-old phone conversation of the state minister with actor Mamnun Hasan Emon and actress Mahiya Mahi recently went viral on social media. In that audio clip, Murad made "derogatory comments" on the actress, threatened her and gave her an alleged indecent proposal. On Monday night, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked Murad to resign from the cabinet by Tuesday over his recent derogatory remarks on social media, according to Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader. Also read: BNP seeks junior minister Murad’s resignation, his apology BNP on Monday demanded that the junior minister give a public apology and withdraw his “politically motivated, racial and derogatory” remarks against women and the Zia family.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked State Minister for Information Murad Hassan to resign from the cabinet by Tuesday for his recent derogatory remarks on social media, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader. The minister said this at his residence on Monday night while replying to questions from reporters. “I had talks with the Prime Minister in this regard in the evening, and the message has been passed to the state minister around 8pm,” said Obaidul Quader, also the Awami League General Secretary. READ: BNP wants to know govt's stance over Murad’s comment During an interview on social media recently, the junior minister made derogatory comments on BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman. BNP on Monday demanded State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hassan apologise publicly and withdraw his “politically motivated, racial and derogatory” remarks against women and the Zia family. READ: BNP seeks junior minister Murad’s resignation, his apology

BNP on Monday urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make clear her stance on offensive comments made by State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hassan against the Zia family. “A very disgusting, derogatory and indecent campaign has been carried out on social media against the Zia family by an infamous person. I’ve heard he was a doctor probably from Jamalpur’s Sarishabari… shame on him,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Speaking at a discussion, he said the junior minister made a "dangerous" comment that he does everything at the behest of the Prime Minister and she knows everything that he says. “From this meeting, I want to ask the Prime Minister to clarify whether it’s true or a lie. You’ve to explain it as it’s your responsibility to protect the security of people and their dignity as Prime Minister. At the same time, we also want to know your government’s stance when a minister can make such an awful statement in the media involving you (PM),” the BNP leader said. He also alleged that the current government is destroying the country’s culture, sense of courtesy and long tradition. “You’ve already destroyed politics in the country. Will you now ruin the minimum values and respect for our mothers and sisters? ” Also read: BNP seeks junior minister Murad’s resignation, his apology Fakhrul strongly protested and denounced the indecent comments of Dr Murad. Pro-BNP student leaders of All-Party Students Unity (Apsu) of the 90s arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh marking the Democracy Day commemorating the fall of autocratic ruler HM Ershad in 1990. The BNP leader said the freedom fighters liberated Bangladesh in 1971 and the student leaders created a mass upsurge against the autocracy in the 90s to build a democratic, independent and civilised country. “The current government, led by Sheikh Hasina, turned it into an uncivilised, obscene, disrespectful country." Murad’s involved with Chhatra Dal Fakhrul regretted that Dr Murad was once involved with Chhatra Dal, the BNP’s student body. “He was the publicity secretary of Chhatra Dal at Mymensingh Medical College. He later joined Chhatra League.” However, Dhaka south city unit Jubo Dal convener Golam Mawla Shaheen, who was there in the audience gallery, instantly protested Fakhrul’s comment and urged him to withdraw it as he claimed Murad had never any involvement with Chhatra Dal. In reply, Fakhrul said, “Don’t talk nonsense. You don’t know about it.” As Shaheen continued shouting, Fakhrul repeatedly asked him to stop, creating chaos. Later, the party’s other senior leaders brought the situation under control and convinced Shaheen to remain silent. Also read: BNP wants 90s-like unity of democratic forces to ‘oust’ govt Standing by his comment, Fakhrul said it is unfortunate that Dr Murad did the politics of Chhatra Dal once. “Later he became the leader of Chhatra League and its president (of Mymensingh Medical College unit). It’s unfortunate that such a boy was there in Chhatra Dal at that time.” Earlier, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said a person was hired from the footpath and inducted into the cabinet due to the degradation of the government. “The people of Bangladesh don't want to see ministers from footpaths and they don’t want to see the thieves, swindlers and those take bribes as ministers. People also don't want to hear their rubbish comments,” he said. Abbas said making indecent remarks against Khaleda Zia, who is fighting for life, and her family members can't be tolerated. “We won’t tolerate such comments… the Secretariat of Bangladesh has been desecrated by giving such dirty person a place in the cabinet.”

BNP on Monday demanded State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hassan apologise publicly and withdraw his “politically motivated, racial and derogatory” remarks against women and the Zia family. In a statement, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also urged Murad to step down immediately. Otherwise, he threatened that a befitting reply would be given to Murad at an appropriate time. Fakhrul expressed strong hatred and anger against “perverted, indecorous, racist and anti-women” remarks by the state minister that went viral on social media. Also read: BNP to launch oust-govt movement seeking Khaleda’s treatment abroad He demanded immediate attention and solution to such disgusting and indecent behaviour of a person performing important duty of the state. The BNP leader said the entire nation was stunned that the derogatory comments came from an “insane” person carrying the national flag. When BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been there at the crossroads of life and death, Fakhrul said, such indecent and disgusting propaganda against the members of the Zia family, including a female member of it, has already garnered the hatred of all sections of the country, including women leaders. Also read: Millions to hit streets if Khaleda not sent abroad, warns BNP During an interview on social media recently, the junior minister described BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman as a ‘whoreson’ and alleged that Zaima Rahman, Tarique’s daughter, cannot sleep without the company of a black man every night.