Libel suits against Sayeed Khokon dismissed, withdrawn

A Dhaka Court on Tuesday dismissed one of the defamation cases filed against former Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayor Sayeed Khokon for remarks on his successor Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh while another case was withdrawn by its plaintiff.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Baki Billah dismissed the case filed by Advocate Kazi Anisur Rahman. 

The court also accepted the withdrawal petition filed by another case’s plaintiff Advocate Sarwar Alam. He confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune.

The move came following DSCC Mayor Taposh urging the complainants to withdraw the two defamation cases filed against predecessor Sayeed Khokon.

The cases were filed by two “overenthusiastic” lawyers and Taposh was not at all involved in the process, according to the DSCC mayor.

Also Read- Taposh urges complainants to withdraw libel suit against Khokon

On January 9, former DSCC mayor Khokon claimed Taposh was no longer eligible for the office due to corruption. Khokon’s allegations followed the announcement of DSCC eviction drives against illegal shops, many of which were set up under Khokon’s tenure as DSCC mayor.

The former mayor alleged that Taposh had transferred hundreds of crores from DSCC funds to Modhumoti Bank, which Taposh owns, to make illegal profits.

“The mayor has violated the City Corporation Act 2009,” Khokon said, adding that Taposh should shun corruption himself before looking into the corruption of other DSCC officials.

Taposh, however, brushed off the allegations and described Khokon's remarks as “insignificant.”

On January 10, Taposh said: “I don’t want to comment on [Sayeed Khokon’s] personal resentment."

On January 11, Advocate Kazi Anisur Rahman and Advocate Sarwar Alam, both members of Dhaka Bar Association, filed the cases with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court.