A High Court bench on Tuesday dropped from its cause list a writ petition filed by Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, former interim government adviser and spokesperson for the National Citizen Party (NCP), which challenged the legality of press briefings held by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and their media broadcasts.
The High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice Sheikh Tahsin Ali passed the order.
Advocates Mohammad Hossain and Yusuf Ali appeared in court for the petitioner, while Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Khan represented the ACC and Deputy Attorney General Md Imam Hossain Tareq represented the State.
Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa had filed the writ petition on 28 September in the relevant branch of the High Court on behalf of Asif Mahmud. The petition named the ACC chairman, the commission’s Deputy Director (Public Relations Officer), and Assistant Director (Public Relations Officer) as respondents.
Directives sought against defamatory briefings
The petition sought directives to restrain the ACC from making defamatory statements to the media regarding matters under inquiry or investigation.
It also requested the court to declare the ACC’s press briefings on 2 and 13 September unlawful and without legal authority, and to order an official withdrawal of those remarks with equal prominence in the media.
According to the petition, during a briefing at ACC headquarters on 2 September, the commission’s deputy director announced that the ACC had decided to initiate an inquiry after discovering initial primary truth regarding allegations of trade in transfers, appointments, and promotions against former adviser Asif Mahmud and associated individuals.
The petitioner argued that under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the primary truth of an allegation can only be determined upon completing an inquiry based on its results, and the ACC possesses no legal jurisdiction to claim finding primary truth at the very start of an inquiry.
‘Slip of tongue’ and fresh allegations
The petition noted that on 9 September, the ACC Secretary, in response to media queries, described the Deputy Director’s statement as a “slip of the tongue,” while the official concerned admitted in a journalists’ WhatsApp group that it was an unintentional mistake.
However, no official public notice or press release explicitly withdrawing the statement was published in the media.
Despite a legal notice sent on 10 September regarding the matter, the ACC Assistant Director conducted another press briefing on 13 September.
In that briefing, fresh allegations were raised, including in the appointment of the administrator for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), postings of Deputy Commissioners (DCs), WASA, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), tenders for various development projects, and money laundering abroad.
Claims rejected as baseless
Asif Mahmud rejected all these allegations as baseless and false.
Regarding the cancellation of his additional responsibilities at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the petition explained that the decision was implemented through a ministry order following a verdict by the Administrative Appellate Tribunal.
Addressing the promotion of 150 Assistant Youth Development Officers, the petition highlighted that the promotions took effect on 11 May 2026, nearly five months after Asif Mahmud’s resignation, making his involvement both legally and practically impossible.
The petition alleged that the press briefings were carried out to damage Asif Mahmud’s social and political standing and subject him to a “media trial” following his announcement of candidacy for mayor in the upcoming Dhaka North City Corporation election.
He contended that broadcasting such statements infringes upon fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 31 of the Constitution and violates the Information Disclosure Policy, 2011.
