Md. Moannaf Hossain Shimul, Joypurhat 

A false and harassing case has been filed at Joypurhat against journalist Abu Raihan and six Chhatra Dal activists. 

On April 6, the case was filed at Akkelpur police station by Tanzila Binte Rahman, wife of Awami League leader Advocate Sakku Chowdhury. According to the victimized journalist, the case was filed by Sakku Chowdhury using his wife because he refused to publish a biased news article in favor of Chowdhury, who is an Advocate at Joypurhat Judge Court and Deputy Office Secretary of Akkelpur Upazila Awami League.

Journalists from both the district and upazila have strongly condemned the recording of the case without any investigation.

Other accused in the case include: Akkelpur Municipality Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Nasif Newaz Romim, Chhatra Dal leaders Apurba Chowdhury, Md. Ashvin, Sweet, Alim, and businessman Masud.

Joypurhat Press Club member journalist Abu Raihan said,  in June 2024, Sakku Chowdhury asked him to publish a false report in his favor, which he refused. Since then, Chowdhury has tried various ways to harm him. On the night of February 14 this year, through a voice message sent from Sakku Chowdhury's Facebook Messenger account, he said:

“I know the day you didn’t publish my report was the day it was the most discussed topic in Bangladesh. I am the Deputy Office Secretary of Akkelpur Upazila Awami League and a former Chhatra League leader. Sheikh Hasina is still the Prime Minister of the country, and the Parliament hasn’t been dissolved. An illegal government, supported by Yunus, Pakistan, and some other countries, has unlawfully taken control of everything. Illegal is illegal. It will end one day. Hasina will return, and Parliament will be restored.”

He also issued various threats. On March 6, I filed a General Diary (GD) at Joypurhat Police Station regarding the threats, after which he became more furious. On April 6, after Eid holidays, he filed a case listing me as Accused No. 1, along with six others, through his wife Tanzila Binte Rahman, under sections 448, 323, 380, 385, 389, 427, 501, and 506. The charges are completely false and intentional.

Akkelpur Municipality Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Nasif Newaz Romim said, "Except for journalist Raihan, all the accused are Chhatra Dal activists. In today’s so-called ‘new Bangladesh’, it’s shocking that such false and harassing cases are still being filed by fascist government associates like Sakku Chowdhury through their spouses. The allegations are entirely false and baseless, aimed at tarnishing the image of Chhatra Dal."

President of Akkelpur Press Club, Shahinur Rahman Hamid, said, "We demand that this false case be withdrawn within 24 hours. Filing a case against a journalist without any investigation is unethical, and we strongly condemn and protest this."

President of the Bangladesh Journalists Association (District Committee), Rafiqul Islam Rafique, said, "We strongly condemn the filing of a false case against a journalist. If the case is not withdrawn immediately, journalists will launch a strong movement."

President of Joypurhat Press Club, Abubakar Siddique, said, "We demand that the false case be withdrawn within 24 hours and that legal action be taken against Sakku Chowdhury for his anti-national remarks targeting the journalist, and he should be arrested immediately. We also strongly condemn and protest the recording of the case by the Officer-in-Charge of Akkelpur Police Station without investigation."

Attempts were made to contact the complainant by phone, but she did not answer. However, her husband, Advocate Sakku Chowdhury, said over the phone, "The case was filed for extortion, defamation, and other crimes by Accused No. 1 and 2. Try to find out the truth."

When asked about the case, OC  Masud Rana of Akkelpur Police Station said over the phone, "Call me on WhatsApp." Later, when contacted via WhatsApp, he said, "If the investigation finds the allegations untrue, a final report will be submitted, or the accused will be dropped from the case."