Kurigram journalist torture: Supreme Court clears way for trial against former Kurigram DC, three executive magistrates

The Appellate Division has rejected an appeal seeking stay of the proceedings of a criminal case filed against former district commissioner of Kurigram Sultan Pervin and three executive magistrates involved in the torture of journalist Ariful Islam by setting up a mobile court at midnight.

An appellate bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain on Sunday passed the order dismissing the appeal filed by RDC Nazim Uddin against the High Court order in the case.

As a result, now there is no bar to continuing trial proceedings against the accused.

Advocate Sagir Hossain Leon was in favour of journalist Ariful Islam while advocate Shahanara Begum stood for Nazim Uddin in the court.

Earlier in March last year, the High Court directed the officer-in-charge of Kurigram Police Station to accept the case against those involved in the torture of journalist Ariful Islam.

Following the order of the High Court on 31 March 2020, journalist Arif filed a criminal case against former DC of Kurigram Sultana Pervin, RDC Nazim Uddin, executive magistrate Rintu Bikash Chakma and assistant commissioner SM Rahatul Islam and 35-40 unnamed government employees.

The High Court also suspended for six months the sentencing of journalist Ariful Islam by a mobile court.

Arif, a Kurigram correspondent of online news portal Bangla Tribune, was beaten and picked up after raiding his house at midnight on 13 March last year.

It was alleged that half a bottle of liquor and 150 grammes of cannabis were found in his house.

Later, a mobile court was set up in the deputy commissioner's office and Ariful was sent to jail with a one-year sentence.

It is known that deputy commissioner Sultana Pervin wanted to renovate a pond and name it after her.

The DC was angry with Ariful after he broke the news about it.

Besides, journalist Arif wanted to report on various irregularities in the district administration.

On learning about this, the deputy commissioner's office called him several times and warned him of such reporting.

Kurigram DC Sultana Parveen, RDC Nazim Uddin, Assistant Commissioner Rintu Bikash Chakma and SM Rahatul Islam were withdrawn following the incident.