Amir Hamza surrenders before court in defamation case

Kushtia-3 lawmaker Mufti Amir Hamza has surrendered before a court in connection with a defamation case filed over remarks made against Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku.

The parliamentarian appeared before the Chauhali Amli Court in Sirajganj around 2:35pm on Sunday (June 14), according to the complainant's lawyer and Public Prosecutor, Advocate Shakil Mohammad Sharifur Haider Rafiq Sarkar.

According to court documents, the case was filed on April 2, accusing Amir Hamza of defaming Tuku by allegedly describing him as an “atheist” and “anti-Islamic” figure. On the same day, the court issued a summons directing the MP to appear on April 21.

However, after failing to appear on the scheduled date, the court issued an arrest warrant against him. As he continued to remain absent from subsequent proceedings, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Suman Karmakar on May 17 ordered the publication of a legal notice in newspapers seeking his appearance before the court.

Following weeks of absence, the lawmaker finally surrendered before the court on Sunday, bringing a new development in the high-profile defamation case.

Court officials said further proceedings will continue in accordance with judicial directives as the case moves forward.