Court scraps DSA case against journalist Naeem Nizam, two others

Bangla Press Desk:  A Dhaka court on Wednesday ordered the scrapping of a case filed under the Digital Security Act against former Bangladesh Pratidin editor Naeem Nizam, publisher Maynal Hossain Chowdhury, and Bangla Insider editor-in-chief Syed Borhan Kabir.

Dhaka Cyber Tribunal Judge Mohammad Saidur Rahman Gazi passed the order after a hearing, relieving the accused of the charges.

Court bench assistant Md Jewel Mia said the case was dismissed as the sections under which it had been filed were repealed.

On 15 February 2022, Barrister M Sarwar Hossain filed the case against Naeem Nizam and six others.

The court then ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the allegations, and they submitted a report against the three accused on 20 November 2024.

The court took cognisance of the report on 2 June last year and issued summons, directing the accused to appear before the court on 27 July. Later, the court also issued arrest warrants against the accused.

According to the complaint, the Bangladesh Pratidin published a report titled “Conspiratorial Case by Bichchu Shamshu Syndicate Using Nusrat” on 7 September 2021.

The report said Barrister M Sarwar Hossain was Nusrat’s lawyer. There were allegations that Barrister Sarwar was involved in the 21 August grenade attack. He was described as one of the masterminds of a group engaged in spreading anti-state rumours and propaganda. 

Multiple cases were reportedly filed against him over anti-state conspiracy and subversive activities. They were also allegedly involved in anti-state conspiracies over the Munia issue.

In the complaint, Sarwar claimed that he was not Nusrat’s lawyer but had only appeared at the hearing of a no-confidence petition in her case. 

The complaint also mentioned that Bangla Insider published a report titled “Who is Sarwar” on 8 September 2021.

BP/SP