CHITTAGONG: Former Chittagong Mayor AMB Mohiuddin Chowdhury Sunday sued his successor M Manjur Alam for allegedly lying on oath to stand in the race for mayoral seat in the just-held Chittagong City Corporation elections.

Mohiuddin filed the case with the Election Tribunal and first Joint District Judge Golam Faruk against the new Mayor as the principle accused and six other mayoral candidates as co-accused. Moreover, Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda has been made a respondent in the case.

In the case statement Mohiuddin pleaded for canceling the entire election process apart from declaring “illegal” and “in-fructuous” Manjur’s election as mayor as he alleged his former colleague-turned-rival submitted wrong affidavit to the retuning officer.   

The judge took the case into the cognizance and fixed August 17 for next hearing on the case.

The court also issued summons for the accused to appear before it on the day “in person” or through their lawyers.    

Mohiuddin’s lawyer Advocate Sheikh Iftekhar Saimul Chowdhury said, “The case should be disposed of within 180 days as per the City Corporation Election Act.”  

Mohiuddin’s son Barrister Chowdhury Mohibul Hasan Nawfel and his chief counsel Advocate M Humayun Akhter Mostaq and pro-Awami League lawyers were present at the court on behalf of the former mayor and AL leader.   

Backed by Chittagong City BNP, Manjur Alam was elected mayor defeating Mohiuddin Chowdhury, the thrice-elected mayor and AL-backed mayoral candidate, in the mayoral race on June 17.

BDST: 1500 HRS, JULY 18, 2010