Complaint Filed Against 7 Including Journalist for Demanding Extortion
Collected Photo
An allegation of demanding Tk 3 lakh in extortion has been raised against seven individuals, including a journalist, over threatening to publish news of a rape by a madrasa student in Chauddagram. The publication of the said news would have defamed the student. A written complaint has been filed with the police station by that student in this regard. The incident has caused widespread consternation in the area.
The complaint specifically names Md. Rana (Abul Bashar Rana) of Jatrapur village in Kashinagar Union, the Chauddagram correspondent of the daily Kaler Kantho, as accused number 3.
According to the complaint filed by the victim, Al Amin, on Sunday night around 8:00 PM, his cousin Nur Hossain Rajib called him and asked him to come to Md. Roni's motorcycle garage in Miabazar. When he went there, several individuals who were already present—including a person identifying himself as a journalist—claimed to have photographs and evidence of an incident where he had allegedly harassed a woman.
The complaint states that he was threatened and demanded Tk 3 lakh on the condition that the matter would not be published. He was also threatened that if he did not pay the money, news would be published in the newspaper against him, which would ruin his future career.
The complaint further mentions that when he refused to agree to their demand, he was subjected to abusive language and various threats and intimidation. It is also alleged that at one point, the person claiming to be a journalist forcibly snatched away his mobile phone.
The complaint adds that since the incident, the victim is being pressured and threatened by various influential quarters to withdraw the complaint.
Accused number 3, Abul Bashar Rana, the Chauddagram correspondent of Kaler Kantho, initially denied the allegations but later stated that he had gone to the scene after a call from his fellow journalist Emran Hossain Bappi and had tried to mediate the matter there. However, he denied the allegations of demanding extortion.
Sub-Inspector Noor Nabi of Chauddagram Model Police Station said that a complaint has been received in this matter. Necessary action will be taken after the investigation.
