On April 26, journalist Sifat Mahmud Fahim, the Atrai correspondent of The Daily Inqilab in Naogaon, was at his rented residence in Savar, Dhaka. However, on the same day, a false extortion case involving Tk 20 lakh was filed against journalist Fahim, alleging that he had personally appeared at a Union Parishad office. During his student life, journalist Fahim served as the president of the Chhatra Dal at Atrai Molla Azad Memorial College. The plaintiff, Md. Nazim Uddin Mondal, is the vice-president of the Atrai Upazila Awami League in Naogaon and the chairman elected with the boat symbol of Bhoppাড়া Union Parishad No. 2 in the same upazila. Meanwhile, allegations have emerged that Md. Selimuzzaman, the then Sub-Inspector of Atrai Police Station and the investigating officer in the case, committed irregularities and submitted false information to the court in his investigation report.

These allegations were raised by the family of journalist Fahim at a press conference held at 12:00 noon on Sunday (October 18) at the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB). Those present at the press conference included Fahim’s father, Osman Ali Pramanik; mother, Shefali Begum; brother, Firoz Pramanik; and cousin, Nazmul Islam.

According to the family, there are serious inconsistencies at various stages of the investigation into the case filed by Md. Nazim Uddin Mondol, chairman of Bhoppাড়া Union Parishad No. 2 in Atrai Upazila, over alleged extortion of Tk 20 lakh and threats to kill him. Following the investigation, police submitted a charge sheet against Fahim under Sections 385 and 500 of the Penal Code. On October 14, Fahim surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Naogaon and applied for bail. However, the judge, Md. Nazrul Islam, rejected his bail application and ordered that he be sent to jail.

Although the investigating officer stated in the investigation report that Fahim was present at the Bhoppাড়া Union Parishad, he was actually in Dhaka at the time. Nazim Uddin Mondol filed the case on June 3 at the Amalki Judicial Magistrate Court No. 8 in Atrai.

The investigating officer’s allegedly false report has sparked widespread criticism among local journalists and concerned members of the community.

At the press conference, Fahim’s family stated that on September 1, chairman Md. Nazim Uddin Mondol was caught by local residents while allegedly illegally removing government property from the Union Parishad and taking it to his residence. News reports about the incident were subsequently published in various media outlets. Following this, The Daily Inqilab published a report titled, “Allegations Against Atrai UP Chairman for Removing Government Property; UNO Sends Letter to DC.”

Later, on September 12, the chairman was arrested in connection with a rape case. Various media outlets, including The Daily Inqilab, published reports titled, “Awami League Leader and UP Chairman Arrested in Rape Case.”

In addition, journalist Fahim and other media workers had previously published reports about various irregularities allegedly committed by the chairman. The family claims that, as a result of these reports and the resulting resentment against Fahim, he was falsely implicated in the case.

Meanwhile, although the investigating officer mentioned the name of village police member Md. Anwar Hossain in his investigation report, Anwar has claimed that no one came to investigate the matter with him. The family stated at the press conference that it possesses a recording of his statement.

According to the family, two witnesses, Md. Sabuj Hossain and Md. Shahidul Islam, have clarified through sworn affidavits that they know nothing about the matter. Another witness, Md. Al Amin Khan, lives abroad.

The family stated that it is necessary to review the original investigation documents and the case diary to determine what evidence the investigating officer collected, how the witnesses’ statements were recorded, how the time and location of the incident were verified, and whether relevant information in favour of the accused was considered.

The family demanded an impartial reinvestigation of the case to uncover the actual facts. If the allegations of irregularities in the investigation report are proven, legal action must be taken against the concerned officer. At the same time, if it is established that the plaintiff knowingly filed a false complaint, action must be taken against him in accordance with the law. The family also demanded that Fahim’s right to justice and his right to defend himself be ensured.

Concerned local residents and journalists have alleged that Fahim was implicated in the case in retaliation for publishing reports concerning various irregularities and corruption allegations involving the Union Parishad. The conflict between the chairman and journalist Fahim intensified after reports were published about the alleged theft of government property and the rape case. They have questioned why an extortion case was filed against a journalist after he published reports concerning alleged irregularities at the Union Parishad, arguing that the matter requires an impartial investigation.

Journalist Fahim’s family alleges that he was targeted in a harassment case for exposing information about alleged irregularities and that the investigating officer submitted an investigation report containing false information to the court. His family and local journalists have demanded a fair investigation into the incident and legal action against those actually responsible.

The family has also demanded an impartial review of the investigating officer’s role in light of the alleged inconsistencies and irregularities in the investigation report, along with legal action against him if any misconduct is proven. They have called for legal action against the investigating officer or any other responsible individuals if irregularities are established, action against the plaintiff if it is proven through the proper judicial process that he knowingly filed a false complaint, and protection of Fahim’s right to justice and to defend himself. They have also called for a reinvestigation of the case to uncover the actual facts.

Note: Names, designations, and mobile numbers of the individuals concerned are provided below.

1. Md. Nazim Uddin Mondol — Chairman and plaintiff in the case: 01757829373

2. Md. Selimuzzaman — Sub-Inspector and investigating officer in the case: 01750636623

3. Md. Anwar Hossain — Village police member and witness: 01755180848

4. Md. Sabuj Hossain — Witness in the case: 01761189220

5. Md. Shahidul Islam — Witness in the case: 01331516347

6. Firoz Pramanik — Brother of journalist Fahim: 01775303423