Viral video of guesthouse raid by 'journalist' in Ctg sparks outrage, legal questions

A viral video showing a man claiming to be a journalist conducting a room-to-room search at a guesthouse in Chattogram has triggered widespread condemnation amid calls for legal action over privacy violations.

The 15-minute-and-44-second video, uploaded to Facebook on 14 June by an account named Hannan Rahim Talukder, shows him entering the Popular Guesthouse in the city's Bahaddarhat area.

In the footage, he is seen demanding guests' identities, questioning couples about their relationships, and inspecting the guest register – all while filming.

As of 8pm today, the video had amassed more than 1.8 million views on the social media platform, sparking public outrage.

At one point in the video, Talukder knocks on individual room doors, confronting guests – including some with family members – and demanding personal information.

One man, who said he had brought his wife for medical treatment, was repeatedly pressured to prove their marital status.

Police confirmed the incident took place but said no legal action has been taken yet, as the guesthouse authorities have not filed a case.

Legal experts and journalists' unions have decried the act as a breach of personal privacy and an abuse of journalistic identity.

Sabur Shuvo, general secretary of the Chattogram Union of Journalists, confirmed that Talukder is not a member of the union.

"No journalist has the authority to conduct such raids independently. Filming people inside private rooms and publishing the footage online clearly violates the Digital Security Act," Shuvo said. "Law enforcement must take action against such yellow journalism."

Talukder's Facebook profile lists him as the editor of Dainik Chattogram Sangbad, chairman of CSTV24. 

It further mentions him as a member of the Chattogram Press Club — a claim the club has denied.

"Hannan Rahim Talukder is not a member of the club. We have already asked the police to arrest him for illegally raiding a guesthouse while posing as a journalist," said Jahedul Karim Kochi, member secretary of the club's interim committee.

When asked about photos of him with Talukder, Kochi said, "Many people approach me because of my political involvement. Can I refuse someone who wants to take a photo?"

The media outlets mentioned in Talukder's profile — Dainik Chattogram Sangbad and CSTV24 — do not appear on the Department of Films and Publications (DFP) media list.

His profile also includes posts endorsing local BNP leaders and mentions his candidacy for a leadership position within the Jubo Dal in Chattogram South District.

Aftab Uddin, Chandgaon police station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said Talukder's actions were unlawful. "A journalist has no right to enter guesthouse rooms and interrogate people. If there are allegations against a guesthouse, it is the police's job to investigate," he said.

The OC confirmed that there are "several allegations of extortion" against Talukder.

However, as the latest incident involves extortion, police cannot initiate a case without a formal complaint. "We visited the site and requested the guesthouse authority to file a case. They will file a case tonight. After that, police will begin drives to arrest Talukder,"  he added.

No case was filed as of 8:30pm today. 

Talukder and the guesthouse manager could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts by The Business Standard.