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Robi Axiata PLC has obtained an interim direction from the High Court (HC) restraining Share Biz and other defendants from publishing, disseminating or distributing allegedly defamatory reports about the telecom operator, its officials and employees, pending disposal of an injunction application in a civil suit in which Robi has sought Tk 400 crore in damages.
The order was passed on Monday by a HC bench comprising Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Mahmud Hasan following a hearing on a civil revision petition filed by Robi. The court also issued a rule upon the concerned parties.
According to court proceedings, Robi has filed a title suit claiming Tk 400 crore in compensation for alleged reputational and business losses arising from a series of news reports.
The defendants in the case include Share Biz, its officials, and Maruful Alam Chowdhury, former Acting Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Robi, among others.
The High Court directed the defendants to refrain from publishing, disseminating or distributing any allegedly defamatory, misleading or derogatory reports concerning Robi and its employees until the injunction application is finally heard and disposed of.
Barrister Suhan Khan, counsel for Robi, said the court’s order reinforces the principle that freedom of the press, while fundamental in a democratic society, must be exercised responsibly in light of constitutional protection for reputation.
He said the decision preserves and protects the constitutional safeguard of reputation under Article 31 of the Constitution of Bangladesh and reinforces that press freedom cannot be used to justify publications that cross the boundaries of responsible journalism or harm the reputation of individuals or organisations based on speculative or reckless statements.
Barrister Khan further said that in a democratic society, news reports cannot be published under the guise of free speech or press freedom based on vague or unverified allegations in a manner that portrays any individual or entity as guilty of wrongdoing.
He added that the High Court’s ruling is consistent with the constitutional commitment to protecting the dignity, equality and lawful rights of individuals and legal entities under Articles 27 and 31 of the Constitution, noting that press freedom must remain responsible, lawful and respectful of reputational rights.
When contacted, Share Biz News Editor Hasan Shirazi acknowledged the High Court’s direction.
He said the organisation had published a report against S Alam Group based on documents, after which the company filed a case with the court.
On next course of action, he said they had already submitted the necessary documents to their lawyer and expected the court to reject the case after reviewing them.
Asked whether Share Biz is a sister concern of the S Alam Group, he denied the claim.