Barisal, July 4 (V7N) – A defamation case seeking Tk 5 crore in damages has been filed against journalist Akhtar Faruk Shahin, Barisal Bureau Chief of the national daily Jugantor, over a report alleging attempted illegal land development by a suspended BNP leader. The case was filed on Thursday in the court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Barisal by lawyer Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, whose BNP party position is currently suspended.

Presiding Judge Md. Habibur Rahman Chowdhury accepted the complaint and set the next hearing date for September 1. The court also ordered a summons to be issued against Shahin.

The case stems from a news article published on August 11, 2023, under the headline: “BNP Leader Shirin Attempts to Fill Tk 10-Crore Pond in Barisal”. According to the plaintiff, the report was false, defamatory, and politically motivated. The complaint states that the pond in question was purchased by Shirin’s grandfather 65 years ago, but Shirin herself is not a legal heir to any portion of the property, nor is the pond worth Tk 10 crore. She further claimed the waterbody is now unusable and denied any involvement in its filling or encroachment.

At a press conference following the court filing, Shirin said, “The article damaged both my political standing and my family’s social reputation. Despite submitting multiple rejoinders, the newspaper failed to retract or address the issue. I also issued legal notices to Shahin, but he did not respond.”

In response, journalist Akhtar Faruk Shahin defended his reporting, stating, “The pond’s ownership was allegedly altered using forged documents. Official land records show it is a public waterbody designated for community use. Under the Wetlands Conservation Act, filling it is a punishable offense. Following a shift in the political atmosphere after August 5, Shirin’s brother Shamim was seen physically supervising the pond-filling. The Department of Environment has issued a notice regarding the illegal activity, and Shirin’s name is mentioned in that document.”

Shahin added that he would face the legal proceedings in court and present evidence to defend the accuracy of his reporting.

The case adds to a growing number of legal challenges facing journalists in Bangladesh, where defamation and Digital Security Act complaints are frequently used to target members of the press investigating allegations against political figures and institutions. Media freedom and journalist safety continue to be topics of concern among rights groups in the country.

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