Three journalists of a local newspaper in Meherpur have been sued under the Digital Security Act.

They are: Emon Ahmed, publisher of daily Meherpur Pratidin, its editor Yadul Momin and joint editor Al Amin.

Sabuj Hossain, nephew of former president of Awami League's Meherpur district unit Maqbool Hossain, filed the case under the Digital Security Act with Gangni Police Station on Wednesday evening, said Obaidur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the police station.

On May 11, the daily published a report stating that Maqbool had allegedly occupied a house for the last 26 years.

Maqbool, also former independent lawmaker of Meherpur-2 (Gangni), rented the house 26 years back, but he was not willing to leave the house though it is now unusable, the report reads. Meherepur municipality several times served notice to the house owner for demolishing the house, it stated.   

However, the plaintiff, in the case statement, claimed that the news portal published a false and baseless report about his uncle Maqbool Hossain in its print and online editions. It tarnished his (Maqbool) image in society, he stated.

Yadul Momin, the editor of the newspaper, said he had heard about the case. He claimed that he has all the supporting data in favour of the report.

Sub-inspector Shahabul Islam, investigating officer of the case, said he has submitted an investigation report to the court of chief judicial magistrate in Meherpur this afternoon.