Orion files Tk1,000cr defamation lawsuits against Desh TV over ‘misleading reports’

Orion Group has filed two separate defamation lawsuits, each seeking Tk500 crore in damages, against Desh Television for airing false and defamatory reports on 17 and 24 September 2024.

The lawsuits were filed on Wednesday (25 September) with the 1st Joint District Judge Court, Dhaka, following the network’s broadcast of baseless allegations regarding Orion’s six power plants and its flagship project, the Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover.

In a press release, the conglomerate said the reports falsely accused Orion, alleging that the company had embezzled funds from the government, laundered money abroad, and used political connections in business, all while failing to supply electricity from its power plants.

In addition, they falsely accused Orion, alleging shareholder removal, and escalated project costs from Orion Infrastructure Limited. Despite issuing both a formal rejoinder and a legal notice, Desh Television failed to correct these inaccuracies, leaving Orion no choice but to take legal action to protect its reputation, the company said.

Orion Group has always operated in full compliance with national regulations, supplying 16.9 billion kWh of electricity to the national grid since 2011 through its six state-of-the-art power plants. Its Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) align with those of over a hundred other power producers in Bangladesh.

Accusations of misappropriating loans and transferring funds abroad are categorically false, as all financial transactions have been transparent and within Bangladesh. Orion has consistently honoured its financial obligations, with no political or external affiliations influencing its business operations.

These claims, including allegations of shareholder removal, project cost escalations, and fund mismanagement against Orion Infrastructure Limited, are entirely fabricated, the company said.

Such defamatory reporting poses a threat to the credibility of Bangladesh’s first successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure project and could deter private investment critical to the country’s socio-economic development, it added.

Orion is committed to establishing the truth through legal means and holding those responsible for spreading false information accountable, the company said.

“We urge all media outlets to uphold the principles of responsible journalism and refrain from broadcasting misleading information that harms businesses and national interests,” it added.