Case Filed Against 31 Journalists for Allegedly Supporting Government During July Movement

The father of Adil, a victim killed during the July movement, has filed a case against 31 journalists, accusing them of aiding the government. The court has accepted the case and directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to conduct an investigation.

The case was filed last Monday at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court. The accused face charges under sections 120B, 143, 203, 431, 440, 500, 501, 502, 504, 505, 505A, and 506 of the Penal Code.

The accused include: Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former Information Advisor to Sheikh Hasina and President of the ‘Journalists’ Forum for the Spirit of the Liberation War’; Abul Kalam Azad, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS); Farida Yasmin, former President of the National Press Club; Omar Faruk, former President of BFUJ; Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, former CEO of Ekushey Television; Shyamal Datta, former General Secretary of the National Press Club; Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, former General Secretary (Awami-aligned) of BFUJ; Azizul Islam Bhuiyan, journalist leader; Sohel Haider Chowdhury, former President of an Awami-aligned faction of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ); Rafiqul Islam Ratan, former Convener of the Editors’ Forum; Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo, former President of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity; Nazrul Islam Mithu, former Senior Vice-President of DUJ (Awami-aligned); Mohammad Abu Saeed, former Member Secretary of Bangabandhu Journalists Council; Aktar Hossain, former General Secretary of DUJ (Awami-aligned); Deep Azad, former General Secretary of BFUJ and Head of News at Nagorik TV; Zayedul Ahsan Pintu, Editor of DBC News; Naim Nizam, former Editor of Bangladesh Pratidin; Manjurul Islam, Editor-in-Chief and CEO of DBC News; Abed Khan, former Editor of Kaler Kantho; Naimul Islam Khan, former Press Secretary to then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; Mozammel Babu, former President of Editors’ Guild and former CEO of Ekattor TV; Saiful Alam, former President of the National Press Club; Syed Ishtiaque Reza, Executive Editor of Global TV; Mainul Alam, Executive Editor of Amader Somoy; Shahjahan, Editor of Bangladesh Journal; Ashish Saikat, Head of News at Independent TV; Zulfiqar Russell, Editor of Bangla Tribune; Shakil Ahmed, Head of News at Ekattor TV; Nazmul Haque Saikat, Head of News at Kings News; and Mamunur Rahman Khan, Head of News at RTV.

The case alleges that since 2009, through fraudulent, farcical, and pre-determined elections, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her loyal fascist Awami League turned the country into a playground of autocracy for nearly 16 years. The public’s spontaneous protests against this autocratic and fascist regime were repeatedly suppressed with brutal and inhumane tactics. Most recently, on January 7, 2024, Sheikh Hasina assumed power again through a one-sided and entirely fraudulent election. Following this, students and people from all walks of life united, risking their lives, to demand her resignation, facing bullets from police and law enforcement agencies. The case claims that certain media moguls and elite groups acted as key facilitators and driving forces in sustaining this autocratic system. Through their statements, news reports, and financial influence, they prolonged the misrule and incited the government to act against the public. The accused allegedly amassed wealth through illicit means, supported the illegal government to maintain their ill-gotten gains, and engaged in looting public resources. Investigations into various corruption allegations against them are ongoing.

The case further details that on July 24 of the previous year, the accused, under the banner of the Editors’ Guild, organized a meeting at Ganabhaban with the fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. There, they pledged full support for her to carry out further mass killings, stating their readiness to do whatever was necessary. Additionally, on July 27, the accused held a rally in front of the National Press Club, where they labeled the anti-fascist movement and sacrifices of students and the public as “militant terrorist sabotage,” attempting to shift the blame for government-backed killings onto Jamaat-Shibir.

It is noted that Mohammad Adil, a 10th-grade student, was killed by gunfire on July 19 in the Signboard-Yatrabari area.