Orion Group files Tk500cr defamation lawsuit against Independent TV

Orion Group today filed a defamation lawsuit against Independent Television, seeking Tk500 crore in compensation for airing defamatory and false reports aimed at damaging the company's reputation.

The case was filed with the 4th Joint District Judge Court, Dhaka, the conglomerate's lawyer Advocate Arifur Rahman told The Business Standard.

He said the court has registered the case and set 10 October for holding a hearing on accepting the charges.

Independent TV, its Editor-in-Chief and CEO M Shamsur Rahman, and reporter Abdullah Al Rafi have been made defendants in the case.

According to a statement by Orion Group today, Independent TV on 13 September repeatedly broadcast a misleading report alleging that Orion had embezzled funds from the government and laundered money abroad, using political connections in business, all the while failing to supply electricity from its seven power plants.

"Orion Group strongly refutes these unfounded claims. The company has always maintained full compliance with national regulations, and its Power Purchase Agreements [PPAs] align with those of over a hundred other power producers in Bangladesh. Since 2011, Orion has supplied 16.9 billion kWh of electricity to the national grid from its six state-of-the-art, efficient, environment-friendly, and fully operational power plants, underscoring its commitment to the nation's energy needs," reads the statement.

The statement further says the allegations that Orion has misappropriated large sums through loans taken for power plant projects and transferred those funds abroad are entirely baseless.

"Orion Group confirms that all power plant installations and operations have been financed by a combination of its own funds and loans from both local and international financial institutions. No money has been transferred abroad. Business operations often require loans, and Orion has consistently repaid all its loans on time," it says.

The business conglomerate also categorically denied any involvement in money laundering; all investments and funds remain fully allocated within Bangladesh, with no transfers abroad.

"Due to Independent TV's false report, Orion has suffered significant damage to its reputation and business. As a result, Orion has filed a defamation suit seeking Tk500 crore in damages," says the company in its statement.

"The false claims and defamatory news reports that have been aired are not only misleading, but also a violation of responsible journalism. These reports, lacking in fact-checking and evidence, appear to be part of an intentional effort to damage the reputation of Orion Group.

"In light of this, Orion Group has initiated legal action to ensure that the truth is established and that those responsible for spreading false information are held accountable," the statement adds.

The group has further said the accusations involving the ownership of two foreign companies, one from Dubai and the other from China, were false.