C T Online Desk: Nazneen Anwar, daughter of Firoza Begum Chinu, former MP of the reserved seats for women in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, has filed a case against six journalists under the Digital Security Act (DSA).
The case was filed under sections 23, 25, 26, 29, 31, 34, 35 and 37 of the Digital Security Act 2018 in the Chittagong Cyber Tribunal Court on Wednesday.
Cyber Tribunal Judge Mohammad Zahirul Kabir took cognizance of the case and asked the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit a report on November 13.
The accused in the case are Fazle Elahi, editor of Daily Chittagong Hill Tracts and Pahar24.com, Independent Television Journalist Anirban Shahriar, Jagonews24 Rangamati Correspondent Saiful Hasan, Deepto TV Special Correspondent Bayejid Ahmed, The Business Standard Khagrachhari Correspondent Didarul Alam, and the Banik Barta Rangamati Correspondent Marhan Roni.
According to case documents, the plaintiff filed the case as she and her mother were victims of a false propaganda campaign run by the accused.
Earlier, Nazneen filed a case against journalist Fazle Elahi for publishing a report on “Pirates” restaurant located in DC Bungalow Park of Rangamati district administration in Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Fazle Elahi was arrested in the case on June 7 and got interim bail in Rangamati court on June 8. On June 14, he got permanent bail from the Chittagong Cyber Tribunal Court.
The latest case was filed due to the accused having been vocal on Facebook demanding withdrawal of the case filed against journalist Fazle Elahi, said journalist leaders.
Meanwhile, Rangamati Reporters Unity President Sushil Prasad Chakma and General Secretary Hefajat Sabuj strongly condemned and protested the harassment of journalists.
They said attempts to take away the freedom of the media should be stopped.
Rangamati Journalists’ Association President Saikat Babu and General Secretary Mishu Dey in a separate statement called the case a “harassment and purposeful” and demanded immediate withdrawal of the case.
Bandarban Press Unit President Alauddin Shahriar, Reporters Unity President Mangsanu Marma, Journalist Union Convener Al Faisal Bikash have expressed strong condemnation and protest against the incident in separate statements.
Khagrachhari Press Club President Jiten Barua and General Secretary Abu Taher Mohammad also strongly condemned and protested the case against six journalists.
They demanded an immediate stop to all measures of harassment of journalists.
Khagrachhari Journalist Organization (KUJ) president Pradeep Chowdhury and general secretary Saikat Dewan expressed concern in a statement.
