Legal notice served to Nahid

A legal notice has been served on National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam, demanding that he withdraw his remarks accusing BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman of engaging in extortion and plunder and lacking plans to run the country.

The notice asked Nahid to withdraw the remarks within 10 days and apologise to the nation, warning that legal action would be taken against him under the Code of Criminal Procedure if he failed to comply.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Habibur Rahman sent the notice on Thursday (November 5).

The notice referred to Nahid’s remarks, broadcast on Channel One and Channel i on October 30, in which he said, “Tarique Rahman has come to engage in extortion and plunder.

He has no plan for running the country.”

Expressing objection to the comments, the notice said the remarks had hurt and aggrieved the complainant and described them as irresponsible and unacceptable.

It further stated that such comments were unexpected from someone holding responsible positions as NCP convener and opposition chief whip, adding that Nahid should apologise to the nation.

The notice also alleged that making sweeping accusations without specific evidence and publicising them through the media amounted to character assassination of a respected individual.

Referring to Tarique Rahman’s family background, the notice said the son of former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia could not be associated with activities such as extortion and plunder.

The lawyer described Nahid’s remarks as unrealistic and imaginary and accused him of making them out of political jealousy.