Journalist Sued: Zahirul Calls for Impartial Investigation and End to Harassment

SM Zahirul Islam, Sreepur correspondent of the daily Amar Desh, has called for an impartial investigation into a criminal case filed against him, alleging harassment following the publication of a news report. He has been named as the prime accused in a criminal case filed with a court in Gazipur. Describing the case as allegedly motivated, he has called for an end to the harassment and demanded justice.

According to Zahirul Islam, a person named Shahnaz named him as the prime accused in case No. 2512/26. However, he has denied any involvement in the incident mentioned in the case. He alleged that he, along with Humayun Rashid, Jasim Uddin and Ismail Hossain, had been deliberately implicated.

Zahirul Islam said he had previously published a report concerning a land dispute in the Taltali area of Sreepur. He alleged that following the publication, Ain Uddin and his son, Almas Uddin, threatened to harass him. He subsequently filed a general diary (GD) with Sreepur Model Police Station regarding the incident. Later, he was named as an accused in a case filed by Shahnaz, the daughter of Ain Uddin, he said.

He further claimed that police had previously informed him that no complaint had been filed at Sreepur Police Station regarding the alleged incident mentioned in the case.

In his written statement, Zahirul Islam said that harassing a journalist over the publication of news would raise serious concerns about press freedom. However, he said he did not want to label anyone a criminal before the allegations had been established. He stressed the need for an impartial investigation based on case documents, statements from the people concerned and other relevant evidence to establish the truth.

He called for an impartial investigation into the case filed against him, verification of his alleged involvement based on facts and evidence, and an inquiry into the allegations of threats and harassment. He also urged the authorities to take legal action if the allegations were found to be false or baseless following the investigation.

At the same time, Zahirul Islam urged journalists working for print and electronic media in Gazipur and Sreepur to give the matter due consideration and help ensure a safe working environment for journalists to perform their professional duties.