The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a contempt rule on The Prothom Alo Publisher Mahfuz Anam, Editor Matiur Rahman and Reporter Zahid Hossain for publishing a report on harassment of justice seekers in the HC Division of the Supreme Court.
Following a contempt petition filed by a Supreme Court advocate, a division bench of the HC issued the rule on them to explain within three weeks why contempt proceedings should not be drawn against them.
The Prothom Alo carried the report headlined "harassment of people seeking hearing of cases in the High Court" on July 16.
Petitioner of the contempt case Advocate Syed Mayeenul Huq alleged that the wording in the headline of the report is unwanted. He said the report has lowered down the prestige, dignity, integrity and high standing of the Supreme Court.
By using some unexpected and unwarranted words in the news, the newspaper has shown disregards and disrespect to the dignity of the Supreme Court, he alleged.
This type of derogatory report against the Supreme Court is a contemptuous offence, the petitioner said.
Advocate AY Moshiuzzaman moved for the petitioner.
