Taposh tells ‘over-enthusiastic’ lawyers to withdraw cases against Khokon

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh requested complainants to withdraw the defamation cases against former mayor Sayeed Khokon, saying he had no involvement in implicating Khokon.

The plaintiff of one of the cases, advocate Sarwar Alam told The Business Standard that they would make a decision on the matter after discussions.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury yesterday postponed the date to declare whether the court will take the cases into cognisance until 19 January. The order was scheduled for yesterday.

Also yesterday, an organisation named "Amra Dhakabasi" demanded that the cases be withdrawn, labelling them as conspiratorial moves.

At a press conference at Nagar Bhaban, Dhaka South Mayor Taposh said, "I have learnt that two over-enthusiastic lawyers filed the cases. I have no involvement in this. I am requesting them to withdraw the cases as soon as possible.

"Khokon's comments on me have become a laughing stock. I should not say anything about it because I am in a responsible position."

Sayeed Khokon had recently alleged that Taposh had transferred hundreds of crores of taka from the South City Corporation to his own Modhumoti Bank and was getting crores in profit by investing the money in different organisations.

At the press conference organised on a kite festival, Taposh was asked if he was not going to take legal action. He replied, "The aggressive comments that the former mayor made out of vengeance seemed to be defamatory. A lawsuit may be filed in future, if deemed necessary."

Responding to a question on the alleged money transfer from the city corporation to Modhumoti Bank, Taposh said the information was misleading.

The bank has been operating with a very good reputation for seven years, he said, adding, "Even before I took charge as mayor, Dhaka South City Corporation had conducted business with Modhumoti Bank. South City's money was deposited to Modhumoti Bank then and still is."