HC stays 16 cases of defamation against BNP whip

The High Court on Wednesday stayed for two months the proceedings of some 16 cases filed against opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Faroque in 14 districts on charge of making statement in the media accusing prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son of corruption.

At a press conference held at his residence, on March 12, Faroque alleged Sajeeb Wazed Joy was doing illegal Voice over Internet Protocol business from abroad causing a loss of Tk 1,500 crore to the state exchequer.

A total of 16 cases were filed with courts in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rangpur, Noakhali, Shariatpur, Nilphamari, Sylhet, Pabna, Barisal, Khulna, Narail, Magura and Panchaghar by the district unit leaders of the ruling Awami League, alleging Faroque had insulted the Prime Minister’s son.