Staff Reporter :The High Court has imposed ban on airing or printing speeches and statements of BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman in any form in the media as long he is absconding. The directives came on Wednesday following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Nasrin Siddique Lina with the High Court on Tuesday.After hearing the matter, the two-member bench of justices Quazi Reza-Ul Hoque and Abu Taher Mohammad Saifur Rahman issued an interim order barring publication and broadcasting of the BNP leader’s speeches or statements in mainstream and social media till he is fugitive.The ban will remain in force until the rule is disposed of. Deputy Attorney General Biswajit Roy said, “The court said as long as he remains a fugitive, no print, electronic or social media can publish or broadcast any news on his speeches, statements or meetings in the country.”The HC also instructed the information secretary to implement the court order. Besides, the secretaries of the Ministries of Home and Law, the Inspector General of Police, BTV Director General and BTRC Chairman have been asked to come up with their explanations within three weeks of the order.”The statement of a fugitive accused cannot be published in the media as it is not publishable,” Nasrin Siddique Lina said after getting the court order.Tarique is now absconding in the eyes of law. But the BNP leader often hits the headlines with controversial remarks on history of Bangladesh.The petitioner sought HC orders directing the information secretary to prevent newspapers, electronic media [television and radio] and social media including facebook from publicising, broadcasting or reproducing speeches of Tarique.
