Journalist Md Rezanur Islam, who was arrested in connection with a controversial case filed by a third party alleging defamation of State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, has been granted bail.
During Sunday’s hearing, the highly publicised case took a new turn as the complainant’s side not only refrained from opposing bail but also indicated that the case had arisen from a misunderstanding and hinted at an out-of-court settlement. The plaintiff’s representatives further informed the court that they were no longer interested in pursuing the case.
Following submissions from both parties, Judge Mehedi Hasan of the Bogura Sadar Judicial Magistrate’s Court granted the bail application.
Tanzim Al Mezba, counsel for the defence, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “The plaintiff’s lawyer did not object to the bail petition. Their position was that the matter had been settled through mutual discussions outside court. They also told the court that Rezanur should be granted bail.”
Several reports critical of the state minister were published in the daily Agragatra Protidin on 12 and 13 June. In response, Bogura Press Club Treasurer Md Tanvir Alam filed a complaint before the Senior Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Bogura.
After hearing the application, which named four individuals as accused, the court directed the relevant police station to register a case and take action accordingly.
Questions have since been raised over the legal basis of the complaint, as defamation cases generally cannot be initiated by a third party on behalf of another individual.
Subsequently, a formal case was registered with the Bogura Sadar Police Station on 17 June. The First Information Report (FIR) included additional allegations of demanding Tk20 lakh in extortion and issuing death threats. New names were also added to the list of accused.
One of those added was Rezanur Islam, acting editor of Agragatra, who was arrested by district detectives from Board Bazar in Gazipur last Thursday and taken to Bogura.
Amid widespread criticism, he was produced before a court on Friday and remanded to jail pending Sunday’s hearing.
Later that night, State Minister Shahe Alam issued a statement expressing regret over the developments. He said he hoped all parties concerned would resolve the matter peacefully through dialogue and legal procedures and that the detained journalist would be released promptly.
The plaintiff, Tanvir Alam, was not present during Sunday’s hearing. Representing him in court was Abdul Wahab, a lawyer and general secretary of Shibganj upazila BNP in Bogura.
Asked what had been said in court, Wahab told TIMES of Bangladesh, “We informed the court that the case arose from a misunderstanding. We no longer wish to proceed with it.”
When asked whether the case would be withdrawn, he replied, “Since the case has already been registered by the police, the complainant cannot directly withdraw it. The police may eventually submit a final report.”
On the nature of the settlement, Wahab said, “Perhaps the case stemmed from personal hostility. It serves no one’s interest — neither the state minister’s nor the journalists’. It would only create unnecessary disorder.”
However, plaintiff Tanvir Alam claimed that the accused had provided a written undertaking in court stating that they would refrain from further negative publicity.
Rezanur’s lawyer rejected that claim. “After our client was arrested, we obtained the necessary authorisation and discussed the case with him. We have heard nothing about such an undertaking, nor was any such matter raised before the court,” he said.
