Law-&-Order
Jugantor reporter sued under DSA in Chattogram
A case has been filed against a reporter of the Daily Jugantor under the Digital Security Act in Chattogram.
Helal Akbar Chowdhury Babar, a former leader of Chattogram Metropolitan Jubo League, filed the case against Mahbubul Alam Bablu, a staff reporter of the Daily Jugantor's Dhaka office, said Public Prosecutor (PP) of Chattogram Divisional Cyber Tribunal Advocate Mezbah Uddin.
The case was filed at the court of Chattogram Divisional Cyber Tribunal Judge Mohammad Zahirul Kabir on Wednesday, he said.
Advoc Mezbah Uddin, the plaintiff's lawyer, said the court took the case into cognizance and ordered the Counter Terrorism Unit to investigate.
According to the case details, Helal Akbar Babar is the former deputy finance secretary of the central Jubo League.
Journalist Mahbub recently published a report in Jugantor titled, “Dubai-returnee top criminal of Chattogram Babar Bahini’s deminance, rail held hostage by Shah Alam Syndicate”.
Read more: Law Minister in staunch defence of Digital Security Act
He (Mahbub) shared the report from his personal Facebook ID. In the report, Helal Akbar was referred to as an extortionist, occupier and godfather of terrorist.
The Jubo League leader alleged in the case that he was defamed by the report with false information.
When asked about this, Helal told UNB that, "I have no dispute with any journalist; I have good relations with everyone. This journalist of Jugantor has ruined my reputation by publishing false news about me. He wrote that I am a criminal.”
“I sent him a lawyer's notice before the case. If necessary, I will file another defamation case,” he said.
Prothom Alo journalist Shams denied bail, sent to jail
A Dhaka court on Thursday (March 30, 2023) sent Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams to jail in a case filed under the Digital Security Act after rejecting his bail petition.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka Md Tofazzal Hossain turned down the bail petition.
Earlier, Ramna Model Police Station Inspector Abu Ansar, also investigating officer of the case, requested the court for sending him to jail when Shams was produced before the court.
Read More: CID arrested Prothom Alo journalist Shamsuzzan in a case: Home Minister
Proshanto Kumar Karmakar, lawyer of Shamsuzzaman, appeared for the bail plea.
On March 29, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) men in plainclothes picked up Shams from his residence in Ambagan area, adjacent to Jahangirnagar University, around 4:30 am.
The same day, a Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Shams, accusing him of publishing a "false and fabricated report" in the daily Prothom Alo.
Read More: Prothom Alo journalist Shams taken to court
Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman sued under Digital Security Act
Editor and publisher of the country’s leading newspaper Prothom Alo has been sued alongside other staff members under the Digital Security Act.
An FIR of the case was filed yesterday at Ramna Police Station by a lawyer named Abdul Malek (Mashiur Malek), accusing the paper’s editor and publisher Matiur Rahman, reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams, an unnamed “assistant cameraman”, and unnamed others of “using print, online, and electronic media to tarnish the image and reputation of the state”.
In the FIR, the lawyer also mentioned that the accused were “purposefully spreading misinformation to deteriorate law and order situation of the country.”
The case was filed under sections 25, 31 and 35 of the DSA.
According to the case statement, the plaintiff read news on the website of the Prothom Alo while he was browsing internet in front of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy area at around 9 pm on Sunday (March 26).
The report was published with a photo of a child holding flowers in front of the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar, said the case statement.
The report said that the boy’s name is Jakir Hossain and quoted him as saying: “What will I do with the independence if I don’t have rice to eat? I sweat when I go to market; we need freedom of fish, meat and rice.”
Though the boy was mentioned as Jakir Hossain by Prothom Alo, private television channel Ekattor TV in an investigation found that the boy’s real name is Sabuj Ahmed and he is a class three student, it said.
The Ekattor TV report said that the boy did not say anything to the Prothom Alo reporter and the latter “took Sabuj’s photo after giving him Tk 10”.
The plaintiff said the news reported by Shamsuzzaman went viral on social media which “tarnished the image of the country and triggered criticism at home and abroad.”
Moreover, there was a possibility of deterioration in the law and order situation in the country over the matter, the case statement said.
Meanwhile, a legal notice was also sent to the Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman and three others over the published content.
Mithun Biswas, a lawyer from Chattogram sent the notice to Prothom Alo office on Wednesday, demanding an unconditional apology to the nation within seven days.
On March 26, Prothom Alo published a ‘card’ with a photograph and a quotation of a day labourer Zakir Hossain for sharing a news report on Facebook. However, the national daily later removed the post from online due to a discrepancy regarding the photo that was used with the news.
Later, the report was republished with necessary amendments and a note below the report regarding the correction.
Later, Shamsuzzaman Shams, the paper’s Savar correspondent who wrote the report was sued in a separate case under the DSA on Wednesday afternoon, around 10 hours after being picked up from his house near Jahangirnagar University by members of the Criminal Investigation Department of police.
He was produced before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court today.
A Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Shamsuzzaman Shams, accusing him of publishing a “false and fabricated report” in the daily Prothom Alo.
Meanwhile, ministers and leaders of the ruling Awami League have slammed the photo and caption published by Prothom Alo on March 26.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said: “The investigation of aggrieved journalists revealed that the report of a Prothom Alo journalist was false, fabricated, and made with malicious intent.”
“I will inform you of the details after knowing all,” the minister added.
Multiple national and international bodies including Editors’ Council, Editors’ Guild of Bangladesh, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF) and the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) have published separate statements condemning the arrest of Shamsuzzaman Shams.
The Editors’ Guild of Bangladesh, an association formed to protect the editorial freedom, has expressed grave concern over the incident.
Meanwhile, CPJ called on the authorities for immediate and unconditional release of journalist Shamsuzzaman Shams.
Protests were held at Dhaka University by left leaning student organizations demanding the release of the Prothom Alo reporter.
The Media Freedom Coalition – a cross-regional partnership of countries working together to advocate for media freedom – today published a statement condemning all sorts of “violence against and intimidation of journalist”.
Rights group condemns the arrest of Prothom Alo journalist under DSA
Rights body Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation on Wednesday condemned the arrest of Prothom Alo journalist Samsuzzaman Shams by a law enforcement agency from his Savar residence.
“Journalists have been playing an important role echoing the voice of the public as well as to inform the government and policy makers of their necessities. The detention of Prothom Alo journalist Samsuzzaman by plainclothes officers of the law enforcement agency is yet another attempt to suppress the voice of the journalists, which is unacceptable.”
The rights body also called on the authorities to inform the people about the whereabouts of the journalist and demanded his unconditional release.
The journalist was picked up from his residence in Ambagan area adjacent to Jahangirnagar University early Wednesday. It took hours for the authorities to briefly clarify that he was arrested involving a case under the Digital Security Act.
Auporbo Hasan, officer-in-charge of Tejgaon police station, said Golam Kibria, a resident of the capital’s Mirpur area, filed the case accusing the journalist of publishing a fake and fabricated news on the country’s Independence Day.
‘Shishu Bokta’ Rafiqul gets conditional bail
The High Court on Wednesday granted bail to Rafiqul Islam Madani, popularly known as Shishu Bokta, in four cases under the Digital Security Act on condition of not giving any anti-state or provocative remarks in religious gatherings in the future.
A High Court division bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Aminul Islam passed the order on Wednesday.
Advocate Ashraf Ali Molla stood on behalf of Rafiqul Islam where Deputy Attorney General Shaheen Ahmed Khan represented the state.
Rafiqul’s lawyers said that the order has cleared all obstacles to the release of Rafiqul Islam.
On April 7, 2021 a team of RAB arrested Rafiqul from his home in Netrakona on charges of making anti-state and provocative remarks and creating chaos.
On April 08, 2021, a case was filed against Rafiqul under the Digital Security Act at Gachha police station in Gazipur.
Later on April 11 of the year, another case was filed under the Digital Security Act at Basan Police Station in Gazipur.
However, Rafiqul was granted bail by the High Court in a case filed under the Explosive Substances Act at Kotwali Police Station in Mymensingh on September 30.
Rafiqul, also director of Saoatul Hera Madrasha at Paschim Bilashpur in Netrakona district, reportedly delivered ‘provocative’ speech in a Waj Mahfil at Gachha.
He is also assistant vice president of Jubo Jamiat, a wing of Jamiat-e-Ulama- Islam, of Netrakona.
Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman sued under DSA
A case was filed against Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams under the Digital Security Act (DSA) on Wednesday afternoon, around 10 hours after he was picked up by CID members from his Savar residence.
Auporbo Hasan, officer-in-charge of Tejgaon police station, said Golam Kibria, a resident of the capital’s Mirpur area, filed the case accusing the journalist of publishing a fake and fabricated news on the country’s Independence Day.
Besides, some unnamed individuals were made accused in the case, the OC said.
According to the case statement, the plaintiff read a news on the website of the Prothom Alo while he was browsing internet in front of Al Raji Hospital in Framgate area around 1:32am on Wednesday. The news was also shared on its Facebook page.
The report was published with a photo of a child holding flowers in hands in front of the National Mausoleum at Savar, said the case statement .
The report said that the boy’s name is Jakir Hossain and he said, “What will I do with the independence if I don’t have rice to eat? I sweat when I go to market, we need freedom of fish, meat and rice.”
The news reported by Shamsuzzaman went viral on social media which tarnished the image of the country and triggered criticism at home and abroad, said the case statement.
Though the boy was named as Jakir Hossain in the Prothom Alo report, private television channel Ekattor.tv in an investigation found that the boy’s actual name is Sabju Ahmed and he is a class three student, it said.
The Ekattor.tv report said that the boy did not say anything like “What will I do with the independence if I don’t have rice to eat? And the reporter took his photo after giving him Tk 10
The plaintiff said the Prothom Alo report was motivated which used fake name and quotes.
Read more: Prothom Alo journalist ‘picked up by law enforcement agency’
He said like him many others at home and abroad were aggrieved by report the it tarnished the image of the country.
Moreover, there was a possibility of deterioration in law and order situation in the country over the matter, the case statement said.
Earlier Shamsuzzaman Shams was picked up by CID members from his Savar residence around 4am on Wednesday.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at an event in the capital on Wednesday noon said the CID arrested him in a case but he could not mention in which case he was arrested.
CID arrested Prothom Alo journalist Shamsuzzan in a case: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday has said that members of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested vernacular daily Prothom Alo’s reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams in a case.
The minister came up with the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after an event at the ministry.
“Police can take measures if anyone being aggrieved seeks justice and lodges case at police station,” he said.
“However I am not fully clear about the matter but something happened centering the case,” the minister said.
Terming the Prothom Alo’s report as baseless, he said, “You journalists through Ekattor TV reported that the baseless news was prepared with ill motive.”
“I will inform you of the details after knowing all,” the minister added.
Read more: Prothom Alo journalist ‘picked up by law enforcement agency’
Earlier on Wednesday, Shamsuzzaman was picked up by CID members from his Savar residence.
Witnesses and family members said 16 Criminal Investigation Department (CID) members in plainclothes picked him up from his residence in Ambagan area adjacent to Jahangirnagar University around 4:30 am.
UNOs’ role as CEO in Upazila Parishads illegal, unconstitutional: HC
The High Court on Wednesday declared the section 33 of Upazila Parishad Act that allows Upazila Nirbahi Officers(UNOs) to perform duty as chief executive officers in upazila parishads illegal and contradictory to articles 59 and 60 of the constitution.
The High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel pronounced the judgment after hearing two writ petitions.
Barrister Azmalul Hossain KC, Barrister Hasan MS Azim and Md Minhaduzzaman Liton stood for the writ petitioners.
Writing Upazila Administration instead of Upazila Parishad in invitation letters was also declared illegal by the court.
“From now the UNOs have to provide secretarial help to the upazila parishad and remain accountable to the parishad,” said HC in its observation.
However, the HC won’t interfere in the role of committees formed by the upazila parishad under section 29 of the Upazila Parishad Act .
President of Upazila Parishad Association and Dumki upazila chairman Harun-or-Rashid, its general secretary Upazila Chairman Saiful Islam Khan Biru, Upazila Chairman Rina Parveen, Vice chairman Selim Ahmed and Vice Chairman Rasheda Akter filed a writ petition challenging the UNO’s role.
Advocate Minhaduzzaman Liton also filed a writ petition in this regard.
In 2011, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the section 33 of Upazila Parishad Act should not be declared illegal and contradictory to the article 7, 59 and 60 of the constitution.
Fifteen secretaries including the secretaries to the Cabinet Division and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry were made respondents to the rule.
Prothom Alo journalist ‘picked up by law enforcement agency’
Shamsuzzaman Shams, a reporter of Bangla daily Prothom Alo, was picked up allegedly by a law enforcement agency from his Savar residence early Wednesday (March 29, 2023).
Witnesses and family members said 16 Criminal Investigation Department (CID) members in plainclothes reached in front of Shamsuzzaman’s residence in Ambagan area adjacent to Jahangirnagar University around 4:30 am.
Later, seven-eight of them entered the house of the journalist and picked him up. They took him to Savar Bottola area where they have their ‘sehri’ at Nurjahan Hotel.
Chief security officer of the university Sudipta Shaheen, and a security guard were also with them at the hotel.
Read more: Journalist arrested under Digital Security Act in Khulna
They also seized a laptop, two mobile phone sets and a portable hard disc after searching the room of Shamsuzzaman.
Shamsuzzaman along with his mother has been living on the ground floor of the building in Ambagan area for the past one year. He is also the younger brother of Rabiul Karim, an assistant police commissioner who died in the Holey Artisan café attack in 2016.
At 4:45 am, the CID members again went to the house of Shamsuzzaman along with him.
Sub-inspector of Ashulia Police Station Md Raju and local journalist Ariful Islam were present there.
Read more: Satkhira journalist, earlier ‘picked up by law enforcers’, shown arrested
During their stay at the house for 5-7 minutes, Shamsuzzaman was asked to take some clothes.
Later they again left the house with Shamsuzzaman.
A police officer also told owner of the house Ferdous Alam that Shamsuzzaman wrote a report against the state and he was detained for interrogation.
Azad Rahman, additional superintendent of CID (media), said “I have no idea about it and there is no information of any case filed against him.”
Read More: ‘Strong possibility head injury led to brain haemorrhage, no sign of high blood pressure’: RMCH director on Jasmine Sultana’s death
Md Quamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Ashulia Police Station, said he was not informed about the detention of Shamsuzzaman. “Investigation is on to find out Shamsuzzaman,” he said.
24 fishermen punished for violating ban in Chandpur
A mobile court in Chandpur on Tuesday sentenced and fined 24 fishermen for violating a temporary fishing ban in the Padma-Meghna sanctuary.
The court led by the district administration’s Executive Magistrate Md Jakaria Hossain imposed the penalties.
One month’s imprisonment was awarded to 16 of the fishermen, while eight people were fined a total of Tk 32000. Two others were released considering their age after taking a bond, according to Md Mizanur Rahman, an assistant fisheries officer of Sadar upazila.
Earlier, members of Coast Guard in association with the district’s fisheries department detained 26 people for violating the fishing ban in the sanctuary, he said.
During the drive, one lakh metres of current nets were seized and later burnt, he said.
A two-month ban on catching 'jatka' (hilsa fry less than 9 inches or 23 centimetres in length) is in place from March 1 to April 30 in five hilsa sanctuaries across the country.