Case Filed Against Four Journalists, Including Editor, Over Alleged Defamation of State Minister

A case has been filed against four individuals, including the editor of Agrojatra Protidin, on allegations of publishing and disseminating false, misleading, and defamatory information against State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mir Shahe Alam.

The case was filed on Sunday (June 15) by Tanvir Alam, Treasurer of the Bogura Press Club, in the Court of Senior Judicial Magistrate, Sadar Cognizance Court, Bogura.

Following a hearing, Judge Mehedi Hasan took cognizance of the complaint and ordered that the case be accepted as a First Information Report (FIR), directing the concerned police station to take the necessary legal action.

The information was confirmed by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Abdul Wahab. In addition to Advocate Abdul Wahab, Advocate Shahadat Hossain Shohel and approximately 14–15 other lawyers were present during the hearing. The case alleges offenses under Sections 500, 501, 504, and 109 of the Bangladesh Penal Code.

The accused are Mehedi Hasan, Publisher and Editor of Daily Agrojatra Protidin; Ashraf Ali Faruqi, News Editor; Saleh Qaiser, Reporter; and Shams, the Bogura Correspondent.

According to the complaint, the defendants deliberately published and circulated false, fabricated, and misleading information in an attempt to damage the personal, social, and political reputation of both the plaintiff and Bogura Member of Parliament and State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mir Shahe Alam.

The complaint further states that following a press conference held at the Bogura Press Club on June 12, the State Minister’s remarks were allegedly distorted and circulated on social media under the headline: “Controversial State Minister Mir Shahe Alam Gives Advice to Journalists Over Road Incident Debate.”

It is also alleged that on June 13, defamatory, provocative, and misleading comments regarding the State Minister were spread on social media in connection with the Prime Minister’s national visit.

In his petition, plaintiff Tanvir Alam stated that the defendants intentionally disseminated the information without any reliable evidence or factual basis. As a result, the reputation of the concerned individuals has allegedly been harmed, while confusion and negative reactions have been created among the public.

Lawyer Abdul Wahab stated that after reviewing the petition and conducting a preliminary hearing, the court ordered the complaint to be accepted as an FIR. Following the court's order, the case will be forwarded to the relevant police station, where it will be officially recorded and subjected to legal investigation and further proceedings.

Public Prosecutor (PP) of the Bogura District and Sessions Judge Court, Abdul Bached, said: “I am aware of the matter. The court will take the necessary legal measures to ensure justice.”