File photo of Khaleda Zia. (Associated Press)
A Bangladeshi court today ordered a police investigation into allegations that opposition leader Khaleda Zia hurt religious sentiments and incited communal hatred through her remarks.
The charges against the former prime minister were brought by A B Siddiqui, president of ruling Awami League's affiliate 'Jananetri Parisad', in a case filed at Dhaka's Chief Metropolitan Magistrates' Court.
Metropolitan magistrate Mostafizur Rahman ordered Shahbagh Police Station to investigate and file a report by November 19 after obtaining necessary permissions from the government.
The case details say the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief made "insulting remarks" against Awami League while addressing a 'Shubo Bijaya' reception hosted by Hindu devotees at Dhaka's Institution of Engineers on October 14, a news website reported.
Zia had said that "Awami League was wearing a mask and only pretending to be anti-communal". She accused the party of believing in no religion at all.
"Awami League hurts all and takes over religious institutions while claiming to be secular. They are only wearing a mask. No one, irrespective of their religion, is safe from this coercive government," the case details quoted Zia as saying.
Four witnesses have been named in the case.
If found guilty, Zia could be fined and jailed for two years.