Pinaki Bhattacharya sued under Digital Security Act

Pinaki Bhattacharya and two others have been sued under the Digital Security Act (DSA) for “tarnishing the image of the state through conspiracy," reports UNB.

The other two accused are Mofizur Rahman and Mushfiqul Fazal Ansary. Mofizur is now behind bars and Mushfiqul is on the run.

Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed the case against them at Ramna Police Station on November 15.

Deputy Commissioner of DMP's media wing Md Faruque Hossain said: "Pinaki Bhattacharya is spreading propaganda against the country and the state from France."

"We are trying to find his address. If his details can be found, we will seek Interpol's assistance to bring him back to Bangladesh for trial."

According to the case statement, CTTC noticed a Facebook post by Pinaki on October 14 through which "misinformation about police was spread on social media."

On October 15, police arrested Mofizur from his Pallabi residence over the Facebook post and seized his phones.

Police said, through his fake Facebook account, Mofizur contacted different people, including Pinaki and Mushfiqul. "Distorted information and a picture of a police raid in Dhaka's Mirpur were sent to Pinaki, Fazal, and others living abroad."

Later, Mofizur was interrogated by CTTC on a two-day remand.

Police said: "We have found that Pinaki responded after Mofizur sent the message to him, so charges were brought against him."

Pinkai, who often posts on social media and appears on YouTube, criticizing the government and the ruling party, has been staying abroad for several years.