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Md. Raju Sheikh, a Narail-based journalist and Prothom Alo correspondent, has filed a general diary after receiving death threats and verbal abuse following his report on the vandalism of a memorial and mural at Narail Government Victoria College on January 25. After diligently gathering statements from all relevant parties, Raju published the report on Prothom Alo’s website. Just hours later, he received a call from an unknown number, where the caller verbally abused him and threatened to falsely implicate him in a criminal case if he continued his reporting.

Targeted simply for upholding his journalistic duty, Raju and his family now live in fear. The threats against him have ignited outrage among journalists in Narail, underscoring the escalating risks faced by media professionals for exposing the truth.

Threat

Sources:
Prothom Alo

Four journalists were injured in Shariatpur on February 3, 2025 when a group of miscreants attacked them in front of the deputy commissioner’s office, reportedly in retaliation for publishing news on medical negligence at Shariatpur Sadar Hospital. The injured journalists, Sohag Khan Sujan (Samakal), Bidhan Mojumder Oni (News24 Television), Nayan Das (Bangla TV), and Saiful Islam Akash (Desh TV), were assaulted. Witnesses said Sohag was the initial target, and when his colleagues intervened, they were also attacked.

The attack followed reports in various media outlets exposing negligence at the hospital. Earlier that day, Sohag had an argument with clinic owner Nuruzzaman Sheikh at the hospital, which allegedly led to the assault. Sohag was admitted to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, while the others received primary treatment. Despite allegations that Nuruzzaman and his associates used knives and hammers in the attack, no arrests had been made, and no case had been filed on the same day, according to Palang Model Police Station.

Bodily Injury and Assault

Sources:
New Age Bangladesh

Four local journalists were violently attacked by a masked group of miscreants while covering an incident in Laxmipur’s Sadar upazila on 3 February, 2025. Among the injured, two were shot, and one remains in critical condition.

The attack took place in the western area near Degree College. The injured journalists are Md Rafiqul Islam, senior member of Laxmipur Press Club and district correspondent of Dainik Khabar; Md Alauddin, General Secretary of Chandraganj Press Club; along with Foisal Mahmud and Abdul Malek Nirab. According to reports, Rafiqul was alerted by a Kuwaiti expatriate about an attack on his residence. As he and three colleagues rushed to the scene, they were ambushed by the assailants. Foisal Mahmud sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while the others were severely beaten. Locals intervened, notifying the police and rushing the injured to Laxmipur General Hospital. Medical authorities confirmed Rafiqul’s condition as critical, pending further examination to confirm gunshot injuries. Law enforcement had been deployed to the area, and an investigation is underway to identify the attackers.

Attempt to Murder Bodily Injury and Assault

Sources:
The Daily Observer

Transgender rights activist Shila was brutally murdered in her home in Betbunia, Rangamati, on the night of February 2, 2025. Her decapitated body, bearing multiple stab wounds, was discovered by neighbors, sending shockwaves through Bangladesh’s human rights and LGBTQ+ communities. According to police reports, five unidentified individuals visited Shila’s home. Concerned neighbors, unable to reach her, broke in the next day and found her lifeless body. Authorities have described the killing as a premeditated act, launching an investigation to track down the perpetrators.

Shila, originally from Hathazari, Chattogram, was a relentless advocate for transgender rights. She fought for legal recognition, healthcare access, and social inclusion for Bangladesh’s transgender and third-gender communities. However, a prominent Bangla media outlet has framed the murder in a way that subtly criminalizes the victim, focusing on her sexual orientation, personal relationships, and alleged involvement in drug dealing. This approach exemplifies gender-insensitive reporting, diverting attention from the brutality of the crime and undermining the broader issue of violence against transgender individuals.

Despite government recognition of third gender individuals in 2013, the community continues to face violence, discrimination, and exclusion from essential services. Shila’s murder adds to the growing list of attacks against transgender individuals in Bangladesh. A 2022 study by the Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) found that over 65% of transgender people in the country have faced violence, with most cases going unpunished.

Murder of Rights Activist

Sources:
Dhaka Tribune

At least three journalists were injured in an attack allegedly carried out by BNP activists at the Supreme Court premises on 5 February 2025. The incident occurred as Javed Akhtar (ATN News), AKM Rafiqul Islam Hasan Jabed (NTV), and Azizul Islam Pannu (Deepto TV) were covering the verdict in the 1994 train attack case involving deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina. A dispute between a young man and the journalists quickly escalated into a physical assault, with BNP activists punching and kicking them before senior party leaders intervened. Javed, also president of the Law Reporters Forum, required medical treatment. In response, journalists boycotted a scheduled briefing and staged a sit-in protest, demanding accountability. BNP’s Media Cell later stated that acting chairman Tarique Rahman condemned the incident and instructed party officials to support the injured journalists. Meanwhile, Jatiotabadi Shecchashebok Dal expelled Mehedi Hasan, Ishwardi Upazila unit member secretary, for his alleged involvement, citing a violation of party discipline.

Bodily Injury and Assault

Sources:
The Daily Star

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s detective branch arrested poet and essayist Sohel Hasan Galib 13 February 2025, from Narayanganj, over allegations of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad (SM). He was taken to the DB office following his arrest.

Galib was presented before a Dhaka metropolitan magistrate court, which denied his bail and sent him to jail. The detective branch requested a 10-day remand for interrogation, while the court instructed police to submit a report within 7 days regarding the allegations. Galib was reportedly arrested under Section 54 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through a poem in his latest collection, Amar Khutbaguli, published by Ujan. The publishing house’s stall at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair remained closed for 2 days. In response, 105 writers, academics, rights activists, artistes, and journalists issued a joint statement urging the interim government to release Galib unconditionally and ensure his security. They condemned the arrest as a violation of writers’ freedom and an attack on the democratic environment. Galib, known for his literary works including Dwaipayan Bedanar Theke, Raktamemorandum, and Timire Tarana, now faces legal proceedings amid growing concerns over freedom of expression in Bangladesh.

Violation of Freedom of Cultural Expression

Sources:
New Age Bangladesh

NCTB Member Rakhal Raha Sued Under Cyber Security Act Rakhal Raha, also known as Sajjadur Rahman, a member of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board’s (NCTB) textbook revision and modification committee, has been sued under the Cyber Security Act for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The case, which accuses him of posting content online that disrespected religious beliefs, highlights the ongoing legal and political complexities surrounding digital laws in Bangladesh. This legal action comes amid broader concerns over the misuse of the CSA, a law that has faced significant backlash from rights activists, lawyers, CSOs, digital rights experts, academicians, and cultural activists. Despite growing calls for its repeal, particularly after the July revolution, the government has not yet introduced a replacement law. The proposed Cyber Protection Ordinance, intended to replace the CSA, has also drawn criticism for similar provisions that could restrict freedom of expression. While public pressure has mounted for the repeal of the CSA, its continuation, coupled with the absence of a finalised alternative, creates a legal void that further complicates the situation. Critics argue that such laws are often used to target individuals for their online activities, leading to self-censorship and stifling free speech. The case against Rahman, therefore, becomes emblematic of the broader struggle over digital freedoms in Bangladesh, where legal uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on online discourse.

CSA Case against Public

Sources:
The Daily Observer

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