HC removes Asif Mahmood’s writ against ACC from cause list

The High Court has removed from its cause list a writ petition filed by former interim government adviser Asif Mahmood Sajib Bhuiyan challenging the legality of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) briefings concerning him.

A bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice SK Tahsin Ali passed the order on Tuesday while conducting the preliminary hearing of the petition.

Asif, spokesperson for the National Citizen Party (NCP), filed the writ on Monday challenging the legality of ACC statements made at the beginning of an inquiry into allegations of corruption and irregularities, in which the commission said there was “initial truth” to the allegations.

The petition sought an order restraining the ACC from holding press briefings or making allegedly defamatory statements to the media about matters under investigation or inquiry.

Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa filed the petition on Asif’s behalf with the relevant High Court section on Monday.

The ACC chairman, its deputy director and public relations officer, and assistant director and public relations officer were made respondents in the writ petition.

The writ challenged two ACC press briefings held on September 2 and 13 regarding allegations against Asif and others.

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