Two journalists sued in Bauphal for extorting money from Hindu family
Bauphal (Patuakhali) Correspondent
A case has been filed against two local journalists at Bauphal Police Station for allegedly impersonating Detective Branch (DB) police officers and extorting money from a Hindu family in Khejurbaria village, Daspara union.
The plaintiff, Ratan Mondal, filed the case naming Enamul Haque Ena (35), coastal correspondent for Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), and Md. Riaz (37), Bauphal correspondent for Dainik Jago Janata, along with 5–6 unidentified accomplices.
According to the case statement, the incident stems from an event over three years ago when a Muslim girl married a Hindu youth from the village following a romantic relationship. The couple currently has a six-month-old daughter. On July 26, the accused visited the family's home, posing as DB police officers and journalists, accusing them of holding the woman unlawfully, and demanding a ransom of Tk 3 lakh.
When the family pleaded poverty, the suspects threatened to burn down their house and behaved aggressively. Under pressure, the family was forced to borrow Tk 20,000 from a nearby shopkeeper and hand it over, promising to pay an additional Tk 10,000 later.
Denying the extortion charges, accused journalist Enamul Haque claimed they visited the home solely to report on allegations regarding the woman's marital status and living situation.
Bauphal Police Station OC Md. Sirajul Islam confirmed the matter.
