Nirapad Sarak Chai (Nischa) founder Ilias Kanchan on Wednesday (Feb 12) filed a defamation case of Tk 1 billion against former shipping minister Shajahan Khan.

Dhaka's First Joint District Judge Utpal Bhattacharjee set Thursday (Feb 13) for hearing the validity for acceptance of the case.

Bangladesh Truck-covered Van Owners and Workers Oikya Parishad called a protest on Nov 19 last year, according to the case statement.

During the protest, they burned the effigy of Ilias Kanchon after putting on a garland of shoes.

A case was filed afterwards against Shajahan, president of an association of owners and workers of trucks and covered vans, over the incident.

Shajahan also commented on Kanchan and his family indicating his possible “unscrupulous” source of income.