Published on 20/09/2021 at 14:02
Recent media reports around the case of sedition brought by a member of the Bangabandhu Lawyers’ Association against the controversial The Daily Nobojug and some of its comment-contributors/readers on issues such as the Al-Jazeera’s hour-long documentary “All the Prime-Minister’s Men” and the controversial death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in prison suggest that the investigation against the accused is in full flow and details are emerging as to their motive behind their actions leading to the charges.
On the condition of anonymity, a reliable source from PBI, which has been tasked with the investigation of the charges by the Additional Chief Magistrate Md. Hasibul Haque of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court – 05 by way of an order issued on 25 August 2021, has confirmed TheBDNews24 that, on preliminary investigation, most of the accused appear to be based overseas, mainly in Europe and the US and it is clear that they are working closely, covertly and sometimes explicitly, with the dominant parts of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party which is currently being led by exiled BNP leader Tarique Rahman, to upset the harmony within the country and to create chaos and disorder by spreading confusion and misinformation about the government, armed forces and the judiciary.
It has recently transpired that one of the accused, a Noor Miah from Osmani Nagar, Sylhet, fled the country when his sexuality became a talking point for the local populace and his comment, as it appeared on the Daily Nobojug Article of 22 March 2021, was full of vitriol and acerbic acrimony towards the Prime Minister, her family, Retired General Aziz and the legal system in general. Most of his comment was full of inflammatory condemnation laced with his demand for equal rights for homosexuals, bisexuals and trans-sexuals. In the process, he berated almost the entirety of the legal system and the Islamic components adopted within the legal system.
His family, when approached, told TheBDNews24 that they denounce Noor Miah’s comments and they have no relationship with him and they do not intend to preserve any relationship with him. Locals, when approached, expressed bafflement and anger at the contents of Noor Miah’s allegations against the government. His stand on the rights of the bisexuals and homosexuals, in particular, seemed to incense those who knew him or knew of him.
The investigation continues in this case (CR-120/2021) and the full report is due on 22 November 2021.