HC Restrains Share Biz in Robi Case

The High Court has directed Share Biz and other defendants to refrain from publishing, disseminating or distributing allegedly defamatory reports concerning Robi Axiata PLC, its officials and employees. The interim direction will remain in force pending disposal of an injunction application in a civil suit in which Robi has sought Tk 400 crore in damages.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Mahmud Hasan passed the order following a hearing on a civil revision petition filed by Robi on 10 August, Monday. The court also issued a rule upon the concerned parties.

According to the court proceedings, Robi filed a title suit seeking Tk 400 crore in compensation for alleged reputational and business losses arising from a series of news reports.

The defendants 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. According to him, press freedom cannot be used to justify publications that cross the boundaries of responsible journalism or damage the reputation of individuals or organisations through speculative or reckless statements.

Barrister Khan further said that in a democratic society, news reports cannot be published under the guise of freedom of speech or press freedom on the basis of vague or unverified allegations in a manner that portrays an 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. He noted 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 Share Biz had published a report against S Alam Group based on documents, following which the company filed a case with the court.

Regarding their next course of action, he said the organisation had already submitted the necessary documents to its lawyer and expected the court to reject the case after reviewing them.