Inqilab news editor on remand for violating ICT Act

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate SM Ashikur Rahman remanded him in police custody after Robi was produced for a hearing before him on Wednesday.

The news editor is accused of hurting religious sentiments, attempting to cause disorder within the administration and violating the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act besides other charges.

The case filed by Additional Inspector General Pralay Kumar Joardar on Tuesday also accuses the newspaper’s editor, publisher, chief reporter, city editor and one correspondent.

The paper raised several allegations besides accusing AIG Joardar of creating an “unofficial Hindu League” in the police force in a report titled ‘Police officer uses PM’s name to dominate force’ published on Monday.

Robi was detained when Wari Police and detective branch personnel raided Inqilab’s office at RK Mission Road around 11:30pm Tuesday.

After they left, an Inqilab reporter seeking anonymity told bdnews24.com that the lawmen asked to see the correspondents who filed the reports ‘Police officer uses PM’s name to dominate force’ on Monday and ‘Anti-India sentiment prevails in the army’.

“They asked for their bio data,” he said.

“We told them they would get the bio data in the morning when the office opens. They took the news editor when they left,” the reporter added.

Police had raided Inqilab’s office and sealed its press in January after the paper in a report claimed that Indian troops were participating in the joint forces operations in the then troubled south-western district of Satkhira.

The paper, founded by late Maulana Abdul Mannan known for aiding Pakistan Army in 1971, had issued a rejoinder apologising for the story.

Source: Bd news24