Rangamati journo Fazle Elahi granted bail in DSA case
DOT Desk: A court in Rangamati has granted bail to journalist Fazle Elahi in a case filed under the Digital Security Act, reports Dhaka Tribune.
Rangamati Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Judge Fatema Begum Mukta accepted his bail plea after police presented him in court on Wednesday.
He was granted bail at the condition of him being present at the Chittagong Cyber Tribunal within the next seven days.
On Wednesday around 10:30, a human chain demonstration by rights activists in front of the Rangamati District Administration office demanded his release.
Activists of rights and political organization as well as students participated in the demonstrations.
Fazle Elahi is the Rangamati district correspondent of national daily Kalerkontha, online media outlet bdnews24.com, The Business Standard and private television channel NTV.
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Moreover, he is also the editor of local Daily Parbotto Chattogram and Pahar.24.com.
According to sources two complaints were filed against Elahi over the publication of a 2021 report against former lawmaker Feroza Begum Chinu and her daughter Naznin Anwar.
However, a court dismissed the complaints due to lack of proof.
Later, Naznin filed a case under the DSA with Chittagong Cyber Tribunal following which he was arrested on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook status, prior to his arrest, Elahi wrote: “Police is arresting me showing a warrant for a case filed by Feroza Begum Chinu and her daughter. Is this the reward for journalism? I hold Chinu and her daughter responsible for my death, the people of Rangamati will bring them to book.”
His arrest drew flak from several quarters, with the Pahar24.com Executive Editor Hefazat Ul Bari Sabuj saying that this is a blatant misuse of the draconian law to reign in media freedom.
On the other hand, Elahi’s wife Selina Shumi said: “The pen will never stop against occupancy. Fazle Elahi’s pen will never stop against those who think basic rights can be bought through power and money.”
She added that her husband has never compromised with injustice and fought for people’s rights.