Case filed under the Penal Code on the ground of making blasphemous attacks on the statutory laws governing blasphemy and other related offences

On November 20, a case of defamation and other related charges was filed against 20 individuals including the editor of the magazine, Atheist Era at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court of the capital. The plaintiff in the case is a Md Yasin Alam Bhuiyan, complained within the suit that this magazine has been spreading conspiracy and slander against the religion of Islam and the laws of Bangladesh which give importance to Islamic spirit and values, and against the government of Bangladesh, both online and offline. The presiding Magistrate Ahmed Humayun Kabir, sitting at Court No. 16 of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrates’ Court of Dhaka, took due cognizance of the case under Section 295 of the Bangladesh Penal Code 1860 and ordered this matter to be invesitaged by the Police Bureau of Investigation (Dhaka Metro.). The next date for submitting thie report is 29 December 2022. The case number is CR- 234/2022.

The accused in the case are- Md Arman Hossain (Editor), Tanvir Ahmed, Jishan Tanvir Mostofa, Zobair Hossain, Md Jakir Hossain, Md Asaduzzaman Khan Rony, Jani Chandra Saha, Md Mohiuddin Masud, Imrul Kayes, Md Zahirul Islam, Jony Joseph Costa, Md Rasel Miah, MD Asif Islam, Mohaiminul Biswas Parvez, Kamal Chandra Sarkar, K M Mahfuzur Rahman, Abu Bakar Siddik, Md Abdul Razzak, Mohammed Moin Uddin Chowdhury, and Md Al Amin Kaisar.

When the plaintiff of the case, Md. Yasin Alam Bhuiyan, was spoken to in this regard, he expressed his anger against the defendants in the case. He said, “We have come to the case following the law of the country. They are not only saying that they are against Islam, but they are simultaneously attacking the laws and constitution of the Bangladesh government and our beloved Awami government, especially against atheists and homosexuals. As a supporter and activist of the Awami government, I am saying that if strict legal action is not taken against them, our leader will be in great danger in the future.” He also indicated that if the police and courts do not take proper action in these matters, the Tawhidi people themselves will take proper action against these Kulangars. When asked what is meant by “due process”, Mr Kazi dodged the question.

Police sources declined to comment on the matter at this time. The Atheist Era magazine, upon being contacted, did not issue any response. The case continues.