Journalist Probir Sikdar, who was sued for his facebook status against a minister, has expressed his fear of being abducted, and appealed to the prime minister to save him.
In a facebook status, titled, ‘Honourable prime minister, save me’, he put the appeal on Thursday.
“Honourable prime minister Sheikh Hasina, also daughter of Bangabandhu, please, save me without delay. I don’t ask for any mercy about the case against me under Section 57 in Faridpur. I’m neither worried about the charge sheet against me,” he wrote.
“I can surely sustain through legal fight, if law and judiciary work independently in Sonar Bangla of Bangabandhu. Please, ensure that none can harass me implicating in false cases, or none can pick up me in pretext of interrogation, impersonating detectives, and hide me.”
SIn the status, Probir Shikdar further wrote, “My apprehension stems from the fact, my lawyer in Faridpur cannot collect the copy of the charge sheet, despite efforts for last three days. With whom, but you, the honourable prime minister, I can share the painful matter!”
Probir told Prothom Alo, “I posted the status yesterday, Thursday. Previously, I went to file a GD in fear of my life, but the GD was not received. So, (now) what is the benefit of informing the administration about the matter? A lawyer is fighting for me. But he cannot work normally. So, I fear that I may fall victim of enforced disappearance.”
The senior journalist, Probir Sikder, was sued in the case under Information and Communication Technology Act’s 57 (2) clause in Faridpur.
The charge sheet of the case were submitted in the district court on Tuesday last.
Additional judicial magistrate Md Ali of the court passed an order transferring the case to Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court. Next hearing of the case will be held on 25 May.
Prabir Shikdar is the editor of the Dainik Bangla 71, Uttaradhikar 71 news online and a quarterly named Uttaradhikar.
Earlier on 16 August 2015, Swapan Paul, an adviser to the Puja Udjapan Committee of Faridpur, filed the case with Kotwali Police Station under the Information and Communication Technology Act.
The plaintiff in his case statement said on 10 August 2015, Probir in a Facebook status claimed that LGRD minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moosa bin Shamser and condemned fugitive war criminal Abul Kalam Azad would be responsible if he (Probir) was killed.
Swapan termed the allegation against the minister false, saying the journalist posted the status to intentionally tarnish the image of the ‘leader of the mass people’.
Following the filing of the case, the DB handed Probir to Kotwali Model police station in Faridpur on 16 August, 2015.
Source: Prothom Alo
