Dhaka: The deputy commissioners of Barguna and Barisal have been withdrawn over the case of Barguna Sadar UNO Tariq Salmon.

Public Administration senior secretary Mozammel Haque Khan on Monday said Social Welfare Minister’s personal secretary Habibur Rahman has been made Deputy Commissioner of Barisal while Pabna Zila Parishad Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mokhlesur Rahman appointed Deputy Commissioner of Barisal.

Mozammel said confusion is prevailing in public mind over the arrest of Tariq Salmon.

‘The allegation brought against him was not that much serious to lodge any complaint,’ he said.

The case was bailable and the court, which earlier sent UNO Gazi Tariq Salmon to jail, later granted bail to him, he added.

Mozammel also said the plaintiff withdrew the case and the court finally quashed the much-talked-about defamation case following huge public outcry that sparked off throughout the country.

Obaidullah Saju filed the Tk 5-crore defamation case against the UNO on charge of publishing a ‘distorted’ photo of Bangabandhu at the invitation card issued on the occasion of the Independence Day.

The Bangabandhu’s portrait, which was drawn by a child during a painting competition organised by then UNO in Agailjhara upazila Salmon of Barisal district on the occasion of National Children’s Day marking the birthday of the Father of the Nation on 17 March, was used in the invitation card.

On 19 July  last, Barisal CMM court sent UNO Salmon to jail after he surrendered before it in compliance with its order and sought bail in the defamation case.

Salmon was granted bail on a bond of Tk 10,000, hours after he landed in jail.

Later, a Barisal court quashed the defamation case.

Amid the public criticisms, Awami League suspended Obaidullah Saju on Friday for filing the defamation case overenthusiastically.