Staff Reporter :
Barguna Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tariq Salman, who suffered harassment in view of a defamation case filed by a suspended Barisal Awami League leader recently, has been transferred to the Cabinet Division as Senior Assistant Secretary.
The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification on Monday in this regard.
Bangabandhu’s portrait painted by a child during a painting competition organised by the then UNO of Agailjhara Upazila Tariq Salman of Barisal District on the occasion of National Children’s Day marking the birthday of the Father of the Nation on March 17, was used in the invitation card. It prompted a Barisal district leader of Awami League, Obaidullah Sazu, sued against UNO Tariq Salman in a defamation suit where he termed the portrait a “distorting” image of Father of the Nation. It led to the arrest of the UNO.
On July 19, Barisal CMM court sent UNO Tariq to jail after he appeared there in compliance with its order and sought bail in the defamation case.
Tariq was granted bail on a bond of Tk 10,000, hours after he landed in jail.
Amid huge public outcry that sparked off throughout the country over the incident, the plaintiff withdrew the case and the court finally quashed the case.
The incident was also strongly condemned by all circles including Awami League Central Committee.
Awami League suspended Obaidullah Saju for filing the defamation case overenthusiastically. Later the case was withdrawn.
