Charges framed against 'Shishu Bokta' in DSA case

A Dhaka tribunal today framed charges against two people, including Rafiqul Islam Madani, widely known as "Shishu Bokta", in a case filed under the Digital Security Act.

On April 11, 2021, Md Mostafizur Rahman, a resident of Teknagpara area, sued them for spreading false anti-state remarks, hurting religious sentiments by publishing defamatory information and aiding a criminal organisation by undermining law and order.

Yesterday, Madani and the other accused, Hafez Masum Billah, were present at the court when Judge AM Julfiker Hayet of Dhaka Cyber Tribunal read out the charges. Both of them

pleaded not guilty.

Earlier in the day, the tribunal dismissed the petitions submitted for discharging them from the case filed with Gazipur's Bason Police Station.

The tribunal set March 1 for starting trial of the case.

Sub-inspector Md Shakhawat Hossain of Bason Police Station, also the investigation officer in the case, pressed charges against them on September 20, 2021.

Rab arrested Madani from his ancestral home in Netrakona's Purbatola area on April 7 the same year.

Madani is now in prison while Masum is on bail in the case.

The same tribunal framed charges against Madani in three other cases filed with Motijheel, Tejgaon and Gazipur's Gacha police stations under the DSA.