Eight sued under DSA for ‘defaming’ info minister

A Jubo League leader from Chattogram's Rangunia upazila filed a case against eight people under the Digital Security Act (DSA) for creating and circulating "fake, baseless, and defamatory information" against Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud.

Nazmus Saquib, who runs the YouTube channel "Nagorik TV", along with HM Kamal, Azad Sahadat, Sany Prodhan, Saiful Islam Talukdar, Khondokar Islam, and Md Hazi Harun Rashid were made accused in the case.

Additionally, the persons who liked, shared, and made comments on the video were also made accused.

"Md Ariful Islam, 36, forest and environment affairs secretary of Rangunia upazila unit of Jubo League, lodged the case with Chawkbazar Police Station last [Sunday] night," said Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) (South) Noble Chakma of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP).

"Police have started investigating the case," he said.

According to the case statement, accused Nazmus Saquib defamed the information minister by spreading false, baseless, and fabricated information by uploading a 13-minute video clip on YouTube and Facebook.

Ariful also stated that the YouTube channel "Nagorik TV" has no connection with the country's private television channel with the same name.

Talking to The Daily Star Ariful Islam said, "Many Awami League, Jubo League, and BCL workers were disheartened over the false, fabricated, and baseless statements. So, I filed the case under DSA."