The Crime Desk: Member of Parliament of Banshkhali, Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury, surrendered to the court four days before the election and got bail in the case of a violation of the election code of conduct. This candidate of the ruling Awami League in the Chittagong-16 constituency appeared in the court of Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Deb on Wednesday and applied for bail. After the hearing, the court granted his bail.
Member of Parliament Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury’s lawyer and general secretary of the Chittagong District Bar Association, SM Bazlur Rashid Mintu, told reporters, “He respects the law, and that’s why he appeared in court today and sought bail.” After the hearing, the court granted his bail.
Banshkhali election officer Muhammad Harun Mollah filed the case against Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury under Section 8(b) of the Election Conduct Rules Act. In the case filed in court on December 26, Judge Mostafizur Rahman ordered Chowdhury to appear before the court by January 3.
The incident started on November 30 at the office of the Chittagong Returning Officer, Deputy Commissioner Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman. When Awami League candidate Mustafizur was submitting nomination papers to the returning officer in Chittagong-16 constituency, 14–15 leaders and activists entered with him. After submitting the nomination papers, they left the office of the Deputy Commissioner. At that time, Independent TV journalist Rakib Uddin asked, “Did you submit nomination papers in violation of the code of conduct?”
Mustafizur Rahman immediately got angry after hearing the question, pushed the journalist with his hands, and started threatening. The activists who were with him attacked other journalists. Journalists immediately went to Deputy Commissioner Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman and protested the incident. Later, Joint District and Sessions Judge Abu Salem Mohammad Noman, Chairman of the Election Inquiry Committee of this constituency, asked for a written explanation from Member of Parliament Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury.
Later, Mustafizur gave a written explanation to the Election Investigation Committee. The report given by the Election Inquiry Committee, after scrutinizing the complaints and statements of the parliamentarians, has been said to have found clear evidence of a violation of the code of conduct.
