Private satellite television channel RTV staff reporter Yeasmein Akter (Adhora) has been charged under the Digital Security Act (DSA) for publishing news about the misdeed of the `Pir` Syndicate in the capital`s Rajarbagh.
Shakerul Kabir, one of the key figure of the `Pir` Syndicate, sued Adhora at the Chattogram Cyber Tribunal on Saturday.
On Monday Md Rafiqul Islam, the investigating officer of this case, informed RTV through a letter.
RTV reporter Yeasmein Akter reported against Rajarbagh Darbar Shareef pir Dillur Rahman and his syndicate on various allegations including extortion, harassing numerous people across the country, land grabbing, and various other crimes.
Following the report, Shakerul Kabir has been filed a case against RTV reporter Yeasmein Akter under section 24, 25, and 29 of the Digital Security Act 2018.
Shakerul Kabir, a key accomplice of `Pir` Dillur Rahman and a plaintiff in this case, has been accused of extortion, land grabbing, and violence against women. He has faced arrest multiple times and has been sent to jail.
Shakerul could not be reached immediately for comment.
Earlier, when news was published against this Pir Syndicate, several journalists were allegedly harassed by Shakerul.
Basically, journalists have reported news based on various court orders, the National Human Rights Commission, and the CID`s investigations.
Adhora told this media, “Two months ago I had made a crime report on the misdeeds of the Rajarbagh Pir syndicate. After that, Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif asked to remove the news. I was informed from Tejgaon police station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police that there is a letter in my name. After receiving that letter, I understood everything. After picking up the case papers, I came to know that Sakerul Kabir, the mastermind of the syndicate, one of the fellows of Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif, filed the case.”
Earlier, RTV took down the media report from online version as well as social media handles after a month of running the story.
However, RTV on Tuesday (July 11), posted that investigative story from its Facebook page titled “The trap of halal cases”, Episode-05 of its program titled R-Investigation.
While contacted, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RTV Syed Ashiq Rahman could not be reached as he was outside the country.
However, RTV deputy head of news Mamunur Rahman Khan told TheReport.Live, “We think the case filed against reporter Adhara Yasmin under the Digital Security Act is motivated and fabricated. Our report is based on sufficient evidence and specific information. We are not afraid of this case. Rather, as a result of this case being filed, we will publish more investigative news against him.”
Meanwhile, journalists` organizations have strongly condemned and protested against the incident in the case of the Digital Security Act.
Yeasmein Akter alias Adhora Yeasmein was a former reporter of TheReport.Live.
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