The Orion Group has filed a defamation case seeking Tk500 crore in compensation against Independent Television for airing "defamatory and false reports aimed at damaging the company's reputation."

This lawsuit was filed with the Dhaka Joint District and Sessions Judge 4th Court on Thursday.

According to a statement by the Orion Group, Independent TV on 13 September repeatedly broadcast a misleading report alleging that Orion had embezzled funds from the government and laundered money abroad, using political connections in business, all the while failing to supply electricity from its seven power plants.

“Orion Group strongly refutes these unfounded claims. The company has always maintained full compliance with national regulations, and its Power Purchase Agreements [PPAs] align with those of over a hundred other power producers in Bangladesh. Since 2011, Orion has supplied 16.9 billion kWh of electricity to the national grid from its six state-of-the-art, efficient, environment-friendly, and fully operational power plants, underscoring its commitment to the nation's energy needs.”

The allegations that Orion has misappropriated large sums through loans taken for power plant projects and transferred these funds abroad are entirely baseless, read the statement.

“Orion Group confirms that all power plant installations and operations have been financed by a combination of its own funds and loans from both local and international financial institutions. No money has been transferred abroad. Business operations often require loans, and Orion has consistently repaid all its loans on time.”

According to the statement, “…the accusations involving the ownership of two foreign companies, one from Dubai and the other from China, are false. Orion's partnerships with these companies were limited to the bidding process for setting up power plants, and neither company is owned by Orion’s Chairman or any Bangladeshi individual. There has been no external political ownership in any Orion Group company.”

Orion also categorically denied any involvement in money laundering; all investments and funds remain fully allocated within Bangladesh, with no transfers abroad.

"Due to Independent TV's false report, Orion has suffered significant damage to its reputation and business. As a result, Orion has filed a defamation suit seeking Tk500 crore in damages," said the company in its statement.

"The false claims and defamatory news reports that have been aired are not only misleading, but also a violation of responsible journalism. These reports, lacking in fact-checking and evidence, appear to be part of an intentional effort to damage the reputation of Orion Group.

"In light of this, Orion Group has initiated legal action to ensure that the truth is established and that those responsible for spreading false information are held accountable," the statement added.