Motahar Hossain Alamgir Maltia, the former and subsequently expelled General Secretary of the local unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has initiated a legal suit under the Cyber Security Act against seven journalists and a fellow politician. The filing, which targets several senior figures within the Char Fasson Press Club, has triggered a significant backlash amongst media professionals in the region and led to widespread condemnation on social media.
The case was officially lodged at the Barishal Cyber Crime Tribunal on 28 April. Following the filing, the court recorded the complaint and issued a formal directive to the relevant authorities to investigate the matter and take necessary legal steps.
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Details of the Accused Individuals
The legal action specifically names the executive leadership of the Char Fasson Press Club, effectively targeting the administrative core of the local media community. The eight defendants identified in the tribunal filing are:
Zulfiqar Mahamud Niaz, President of the Char Fasson Press Club.
Kamal Goldar, General Secretary of the Press Club.
Jamal Molla, Joint General Secretary.
Noman Sikdar, Joint General Secretary.
Saiful Islam Mukul, Secretary for Publicity and Publication.
Abu Siddique, Executive Member.
Aminul Islam, Executive Member.
Kazi Monjur Hossain, the former Organisational Secretary of the Upazila BNP.
The collective targeting of these individuals has been characterised by local press advocates as an attempt to systematically pressure the regional media.
Context and Alleged Motivation
According to statements from the accused journalists, the litigation is regarded as a retaliatory and “purposefully motivated” act. The roots of the dispute reportedly trace back to an introductory meeting held by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), a senior local government official. During this assembly, it is alleged that Mr Maltia made derogatory and offensive remarks concerning the conduct and integrity of the journalists in attendance.
In response to these remarks, the members of the Char Fasson Press Club staged a formal protest, defending their professional reputation and demanding an apology. The journalists contend that instead of addressing their grievances, Mr Maltia filed the Cyber Security Act case to penalise them for their public opposition. The journalists have expressed that this use of legislation is intended to suppress critical reporting and silence voices that challenge political figures.
The defendants have issued a collective warning, stating that if the case—which they describe as entirely “baseless”—is not promptly withdrawn, they will be compelled to initiate a series of stringent protest programmes to protect the freedom of the press in Bhola.
Procedural Status and Official Response
The Cyber Security Act, which serves as the successor to the Digital Security Act, is the primary legal instrument used in this case. Under the procedural rules of the Cyber Crime Tribunal, once a complaint is recorded, local law enforcement is tasked with verifying the claims through a preliminary inquiry or a formal investigation.
Mahamud Al Farid, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Char Fasson Police Station, confirmed that the department is acting in accordance with the judiciary’s orders. Speaking to the press, he noted:
“Following the instructions issued by the court, the case is currently under process.”
This indicates that the police are now required to gather evidence and report back to the Barishal Cyber Crime Tribunal before any further arrests or judicial proceedings take place.
Reactions from the Media Community
The incident has generated what has been described as a “storm of condemnation” across the Barishal Division. Journalist unions and media rights organisations have voiced concerns that the Cyber Security Act continues to be utilised by influential figures to intimidate rural and regional reporters.
As of 6 May 2026, the Char Fasson Press Club remains in a state of formal protest. Legal experts representing the journalists are reportedly preparing to file a petition to quash the proceedings at the tribunal. Meanwhile, the case has highlighted the ongoing friction between political actors and independent media outlets in Bangladesh, particularly concerning the use of digital laws to address personal or professional disputes. The Barishal Cyber Crime Tribunal is currently awaiting the investigative findings from the local police to determine the next phase of the litigation.