Three journalists in Bangladesh were reportedly harassed by a group of Jamaat-e-Islami-affiliated lawyers while covering a news story at a court premises. Later, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Hasib Ullah Piyas summoned the journalists to the dock and threatened to send them to jail.
After some time, they were released on the condition that they apologize. The Court Reporters’ Unity (CRU) has strongly protested and condemned the incident. The incident took place on Wednesday (October 28) at the premises of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka.
According to video footage and eyewitnesses, the court had scheduled the submission of an investigation report in the death case of BUET student Fardin Noor Parash. His girlfriend and accused in the case, Amatulah Bushra, appeared before the court, as did Fardin’s father, Nur Uddin Rana. After the proceedings, Bushra exited the courtroom.
At that moment, Masud Rana (staff reporter at Kaler Kantho), Ariful Islam (reporter at Ekushey Television), and another Ariful Islam (reporter at The Business Standard) approached to take video footage of the accused. However, several lawyers identified as Jamaat sympathizers — including Rezaul Haque Riaz, a member of the executive committee of the Lawyers’ Association (Jamaat panel), and Akhtaruzzaman Dalim, a Jamaat leader from Hatirjheel police station — obstructed them.
When the journalists explained they were filming for professional purposes, the lawyers became more aggressive and tried to drag them before the judge.
The journalists argued that court permission was not required to capture video footage of the accused in a public space, which angered the lawyers further. They surrounded the journalists near the courtroom of Metropolitan Magistrate Hasib Ullah Piyas. At one point, lawyer Akhtaruzzaman Dalim snatched a journalist’s mobile phone.
Dalim also threatened complainant Nur Uddin Rana, saying, “You brought these journalists here.”
Magistrate Hasib Ullah Piyas then called the three journalists into his courtroom. Lawyer Rezaul Haque Riaz fled the scene at that moment. The judge ordered the journalists to stand in the dock and said, “Identify yourselves.”
After confirming their identities, the judge said, “You have caused chaos in front of the court. It’s now 11:38 — you will be sent to jail. No more discussion. Seize their mobile phones.”
Two minutes later, the judge added, “If you offer an unconditional apology, I’ll let you go. Otherwise, you’ll be sent to jail — no exceptions.”
The journalists were released after apologizing.
Journalist Masud Rana said, “We went there for news coverage, but several lawyers created a mob when we tried to take video footage. The judge became overly enthusiastic and summoned us to the dock. After learning we were journalists, he said we’d be jailed.”
The Business Standard reporter Ariful Islam added, “When we tried to take video footage of the accused, her lawyers attacked us. One snatched a phone. They tried to drag us before the judge. When we resisted, they misbehaved badly. Then another judge called us into the courtroom and ordered us into the dock without letting us defend ourselves. We had to apologize unconditionally for no crime. It was deeply humiliating.”
When asked about the allegation, lawyer Akhtaruzzaman Dalim said, “It was a misunderstanding. The judge later resolved the issue.”
Lawyer Rezaul Haque Riaz said, “An unwanted incident took place. I have nothing more to say.”
Dhaka Court Reporters’ Unity President Liton Mahmud condemned the incident, saying, “The attempt to assault journalists is utterly deplorable. On that day, the journalists were gathering news outside Magistrate Hasib Ullah Piyas’s court. They did not commit any unprofessional act that could harm the court’s image or disrupt proceedings. They were simply performing their professional duties when Jamaat-backed lawyers harassed them, creating chaos in the court premises — as confirmed by video footage.”
He added, “Instead of addressing that misconduct, the judge overreacted and threatened to jail the journalists. Such behavior from a judge is unacceptable and condemnable. We demand his removal and departmental action. We will submit a written complaint to the Chief Justice regarding this matter.”
Broader Context: Journalists Under Pressure During the Yunus Regime
This incident is the latest example of growing persecution and intimidation faced by journalists under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Over the past few months, multiple reporters and media professionals have reported harassment, detention threats, and restrictions on news coverage, especially when reporting on politically sensitive issues or court proceedings.
Media rights groups have warned that such incidents reflect a climate of fear and shrinking press freedom in Bangladesh, where journalists now face pressure not only from political groups but also from elements within the judiciary and law enforcement under the current administration.
