ZCZC
BSS-25
HEARING-CASE-DSA-MOAZZEM
Hearing in DSA case against OC Moazzem adjourned till Oct 2
DHAKA, Sept 25, 2019 (BSS) – A special tribunal here adjourned till
October 2 the hearing of a case lodged under Digital Security Act (DSA)
against former officer in-charge (OC) of Sonagazi Police Station Moazzem
Hossain.
Judge Mohammad As-Shams Jaglul Hossain of Bangladesh Cyber Tribunal set
the date after examining a new witness today. Journalist Atiar Hawlader Sajal
testified in the case today and was cross-examined by the defence hereafter.
The court also allowed a state plea to accept two seizer list witnesses
in the case.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman lodged the case
on April 15 under section 26, 29 and 31 of Digital Security Act (DSA) against
Moazzem for illegally recording statement of Sonagazi madrasa student Nusrat
Jahan Rafi, who was killed by assailants for protesting her sexual harassment
by her teacher, on video and spreading it online.
Earlier on July 17, the tribunal framed charges in the case as Moazzem
pleaded not guilty. The tribunal on June 17 sent Moazzem Hossain to jail
after scrapping his plea for bail in the case. Moazzem was arrested from
capital’s Shabagh area on June 16.
The tribunal on May 27 issued arrest warrant against the disgraced cop a
day after Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) submitted its probe report
over the incident. Investigation officer and PBI senior ASP Rima Sultana
filed the report at Bangladesh Cyber Tribunal on May 26, stating that they
have found the allegations brought against the police official, true.
According to the allegations, the former Sonagazi OC summoned Nusrat as
she filed a case against Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa principal
Sirajuddoula for sexual harassment.
The police official in his room started quizzing her about the incident
and was recording the whole incident in absence of any lawyer or female cop.
He was seen scolding her and asking Nusrat indecent questions. Moazzem later
posted the video on different social media sites.
BSS/CORR/MHR/1717 Hrs