By Firstdespatch Desk Jan 18, 2025
Agartala, Jan 18 (FD) Reporter Al Ehsan has alleged that he was implicated in a criminal case by Uttara West Police on November 13, 2024, months after reporting on tax evasion in the Dhaka cotton industry. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF), in condemning the misuse of the law against Al Ehsan and urges authorities to dismiss the case immediately.
Journalist Al Ehsan was booked under a criminal case on November 13, 2024, two months after reporting on tax evasion within the Dhaka cotton industry. Credit: The Daily Post
According to a letter addressed to the IFJ on January 14, Ehsan wrote, "Without issuing any prior written notice, a case was filed secretly under Sections 500/501 of the Penal Code 1860 in the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court."
On September 18, 2024, the senior journalist published an article titled "Dhaka Cotton evades tax despite collecting from staff," alleging that staff at 'Dhaka Cotton' were denied income tax invoices from the Dhaka Cotton Authority. Ehsan claimed to have received documents related to thirty staff members' salaries, totaling more than BDT 79 lakh (approximately USD 64,250), revealing that the company had not compensated its employees or suppliers. Managing Director of Dhaka Cotton, Sheikh Muhammad Samiul Islam, reportedly threatened Ehsan and staff members with legal action for making false allegations.
In a second report published on September 24, 2024, titled "Dhaka Cotton Mill Anomaly: Allegations Against Sheikh Samiul Islam," Ehsan reported allegations of Sheikh Samiul Islam assaulting a female employee who raised concerns about overdue salary payments. A former IT employee also alleged receiving death threats from the Managing Director after seeking compensation for a workplace injury.
The Director of 'Tafrid Cotton Mills Ltd' and wife of Sheikh Samiul Islam, Noor Nahar, is mentioned in the report as another cotton company involved in tax evasion with its employees. Nahar, acting as the plaintiff in the case, alleges that Ehsan sent unwanted links to her personal WhatsApp account and "placed mental pressure" on her for a response. Ehsan clarified that he had only contacted Nahar when requesting a statement for his report.
The BMSF stated, "We condemn the criminal case against Al Ehsan in the strongest terms. The Bengali media remains vulnerable, and there has been no improvement for journalists in the country. The BMSF urges the interim government to take note of this incident and promptly take steps to protect journalists."
The IFJ commented, "The IFJ calls on local authorities to dismiss the case against journalist Al Ehsan. The interim government should prioritize the crucial protection of media workers during this democratic transition period and ensure that independent journalists can work without fear of reprisal or retaliation."