A rejoinder, issued by Jamaat publicity secretary Tasneem Alam, claimed that the report was not based on fact.

"Since there is no link between any member of parliament of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and arrested Mufti Hannan, question does not arise that Jamaat MPs recommended his mercy petition. This information is totally imaginary," the rejoinder said.

No Jamaat lawmaker had recommended Mufti Hannan's mercy petition, it added.

Our reply
The Daily Star report was based on information regarding statement made by Mufti Hannan during quizzing. It may be mentioned that the same story was carried by different leading national dailies.