The court has issued an order to begin formal proceedings against the dismissed Executive Magistrate Tapasi Tabassum Urmi, who is accused of making derogatory comments about martyr Abu Saeed, who was killed in the anti-discrimination student movement. The order was given by Dhaka’s Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Safatullah on Tuesday.
Before the charges were framed, Tapasi Tabassum’s lawyer, P.M. Mahadi Hasan, filed a plea for her acquittal. On the other hand, the complainant’s lawyer, Khademul Islam, argued in favor of framing the charges. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the acquittal plea and ordered the charges to be framed. During the proceedings, Tapasi Tabassum Urmi declared her innocence and sought justice.
Earlier, on October 8, a defamation case was filed against her in Dhaka for making derogatory remarks about Abu Saeed and other martyrs. The case was filed by Abu Hanif, a senior member and media coordinator of the Gana Odhikar Porishod. After recording the complainant’s statement and reviewing the case, the court issued a summons for her appearance on November 28. On that day, Tapasi Tabassum Urmi surrendered and was granted bail.
Liberty News’ court correspondent reports that the allegation in the case is related to a Facebook post made by Tapasi Tabassum on October 5. In the post, she made derogatory remarks about martyr Abu Saeed and the interim government’s chief advisor, Nobel laureate economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
LND/SAKIB
