Journalist Probir Sikdar acquitted in ICT case | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
June 18, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025
Journalist Probir Sikdar acquitted in ICT case

Court

TBS Report
09 September, 2021, 01:25 pm
Last modified: 09 September, 2021, 09:56 pm

Related News

  • Verdict in ICT case against Odhikar leaders deferred to 14 Sep
  • Trial begins in ICT case against singer Asif
  • Arrest warrant issued against Sami, Tasnim, 2 others in DSA case
  • Dhaka cyber court accepts charges against Kajol
  • SC upholds HC order on Nawshaba in ICT case

Journalist Probir Sikdar acquitted in ICT case

The justice is hard-earned, Probir tells The Business Standard

TBS Report
09 September, 2021, 01:25 pm
Last modified: 09 September, 2021, 09:56 pm
Photo:Prothom Alo
Photo:Prothom Alo

A Dhaka court on Thursday acquitted journalist Probir Sikdar in an ICT case filed over "defaming" former LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain on Facebook.

Dhaka Cyber Tribunal Judge Mohammad As-Shams Jaglul Hossain gave the acquittal as charges brought against Probir in the case filed six years ago were not proved.

In an interview with The Business Standard hours after his acquittal, Probir Sikdar said he has received justice and that truth has triumphed at the end.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"I think the court has not only acquitted me but also passively conveyed the message that people's freedom of expression should be upheld."

But justice has been achieved after going through extreme physical and mental suffering as well as incredible financial hardship, he mentioned.

"It is very sad that a person has lost six years of his life by appearing in court day after day. I have had to appear in court at least 50 times even after getting bail," he said.

"My family members also regularly went to the court with me as my accomplices in the detention. One day in court seemed like a year to me."

The journalist also elaborated on the financial toll the case took on him.

"Although the cost of handling the case was borne by the human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), I had to pay for travel and other expenses for attending the court, which I did not calculate. But, the burden of that unnecessary expenditure on me – a disabled person – was heavy as a mountain."

"I didn't get a chance to work. Newspapers were afraid to appoint me. Even businesses were afraid to provide my newspaper with advertisements. I was isolated. I had to make ends meet by selling land in my native home."

"Besides, the suffering of going to and fro the court like this was tantamount to physical abuse. As a result, many more complex diseases have settled in my body. Now my physical condition has turned worse.

"Apart from physical and mental abuse, I have also been socially and politically harassed due to this case."

Probir Sikdar also claimed that the police had tortured him even before making a prayer for remand.

Prabir Sikder said he would consult the lawyers to take legal action to seek compensation for the losses he had suffered because of the false case. "I will take this step once my physical condition improves a bit."

He also criticised the misuse of the Digital Security Act and demanded bail of all people arrested in cases filed under this "black law", withdrawal of all such cases and also abolishment of the law.

"To me, the Digital Security Act enacted by replacing the ICT Act is 'old wine in a new bottle'", he said, adding the law is a major barrier to freedom of expression.

In its observations in the decision, the court noted that the "victim" had not stood as the plaintiff in the case, nor had any close friend or relative. Nor did the alleged victim testify in the case as a witness, the judge said.

The case was, instead, filed by someone who had a distant connection to the alleged victim and, as such, did not have the jurisdiction to file the case, the judge said.

Probir, editor of Daily Bangla 71, was arrested on 16 August 2015 after Faridpur Awami League leader Swapan Kumar Paul filed the case over a Facebook post he made. Later, he got bail.

In the Facebook post, dated 10 August 2015, Probir said his life was under threat and that the then Local Government and Rural Development Minister Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain and two others would be responsible if he was killed.

Lawyers representing both sides in the case finished their arguments in the court on 22 March this year.

The judgment was supposed to be delivered on 11 April, but was delayed due to the Covid-induced lockdown.

Earlier, the tribunal recorded statements of 10 prosecution witnesses including the complainant of the case.

Bangladesh / Top News

ICT case / Probir Sikder / Dhaka Cyber Tribunal

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • US President Donald Trump points a finger as he departs for Canada to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit, from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, June 15, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
    Trump demands Iran's 'unconditional surrender' as Israel-Iran air war rages on
  • Infographics: Duniya Jahan/TBS
    How Israel's secret nuclear arsenal comes under spotlight amid attacks on Iran
  • Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei and US president-elect Donald Trump. Photo: Collected
    'Not going to kill Khamenei, at least for now', says Trump, claiming US knows Iran's supreme leader's location

MOST VIEWED

  • Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem. Photo: Collected
    ACC launches inquiry against ex-Bangladesh envoy Saida Muna, husband over laundering Tk2,000cr
  • Infograph: TBS
    Ship congestion at Ctg port lingers as berthing time rises
  • A view of Iranian missiles across the sky as seen by Biman pilot Enam Talukder. Photo: Enam Talukder
    Biman pilot witnessed Iran's missiles flying towards Israel
  • Power Division wants Tk56,000cr PDB loans turned into subsidy
    Power Division wants Tk56,000cr PDB loans turned into subsidy
  • BNP leader Ishraque Hossain held a view-exchange meeting with waste management officials and Dhaka South City Corporation staff inside Nagar Bhaban on 16 June 2025. Photos: Hasan Mehedi
    Ishraque holds Nagar Bhaban meeting as 'Dhaka South mayor', says it’s people’s demand
  • Bangladesh gains bigger share in US apparel market as China loses ground, sees 29% export growth in Jan-Apr
    Bangladesh gains bigger share in US apparel market as China loses ground, sees 29% export growth in Jan-Apr

Related News

  • Verdict in ICT case against Odhikar leaders deferred to 14 Sep
  • Trial begins in ICT case against singer Asif
  • Arrest warrant issued against Sami, Tasnim, 2 others in DSA case
  • Dhaka cyber court accepts charges against Kajol
  • SC upholds HC order on Nawshaba in ICT case

Features

The Kallyanpur Canal is burdened with more than 600,000 kilograms of waste every month. Photo: Courtesy

Kallyanpur canal project shows how to combat plastic pollution in Dhaka

11h | Panorama
The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

1d | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

2d | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

4d | Mode

More Videos from TBS

What's behind the animosity between former allies Iran and Israel?

What's behind the animosity between former allies Iran and Israel?

7h | Others
21 Muslim countries condemn Israeli attack on Iran

21 Muslim countries condemn Israeli attack on Iran

7h | TBS World
News of The Day, 17 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 17 JUNE 2025

10h | TBS News of the day
Rising default loans threaten jobs, growth, trade

Rising default loans threaten jobs, growth, trade

12h | TBS Insight
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net