Order on defamation cases against Sayeed Khokon on 19 Jan

A Dhaka court has fixed 19 January to pass the order on two defamation cases against former mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sayeed Khokon for allegedly making derogatory comments against the incumbent Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

On Monday, Kazi Anisur Rahman and Advocate Md Sarwar Alam filed the cases with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury.

In the morning of that day, Mayor Taposh said that a defamation suit will be filed against Sayeed Khokon.

Earlier on Saturday, the former mayor at a human chain programme in the capital claimed that Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh had lost his eligibility for the post of mayor.

In a written statement, he said Taposh had been vocal against corruption since taking the office of mayor.

Sayeed Khokon further said if Taposh wanted a corruption-free administration, he should make himself free of corruption first.

He alleged that Taposh had transferred hundreds of crores of taka to Madhumati Bank (owned by Taposh) from the DSCC.

"By investing the money, he is making profits worth crores of taka," Khokon claimed.

On the other hand, the poor employees of the city corporation were not getting their salaries for months due to lack of money, he said.

Various development projects had been stopped due to lack of funds, he added.

Through such activities, the mayor had lost his eligibility for the post as per Article 9 (2) (Ja) of the second chapter of the City Corporation Act 2009, Khokon said.

Meanwhile, Taposh said, "Those who have transacted money in various ways are bringing the allegation of corruption."

He said he was not alone bringing this allegation.

Taposh further said the former mayor's allegation was a personal attack.