Journalists have right to seek information: HC

In a milestone observation, the High Court said that journalists are curious and they must seek information.

If journalists are given the scope to publish information, they will try to do it, said the High Court.

A Division Bench of the HC comprising Justice Md Habibul Gani and Md Riaz Uddin Khan made the observation during hearing on a bail petition filed by former Sonagazi OC Moazzem Hossain.

The HC also rejected the petition of Moazzem who is convicted in a case for filming arson victim and Feni Madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi and recording her statement.

During hearing, Moazzem's lawyer Murad Reza blamed a journalist for making the video viral prompting the court to come up with the above observation.

"A journalist had collected the video from Moazzem Hossain's mobile and circulated it on social media. Therefore, he (Moazzem) has not committed any offence," he said.

Deputy Attorney General Md Rezaul Karim said the bail petition is kept "stand over" and pending with hearing for next three months.

On April 6, 2019, Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa student Nusrat was set afire by the agents of Madrasa principal Siraj Ud Doula for rejecting an illicit offer. Nusrat succumbed to burn injuries at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital on April 10, 2019.

The then OC Moazzem allegedly tried to abuse the video statement of Nusrat to divert the issue and save the accused persons.

Earlier, on November 29, 2019, a Dhaka court sentenced Moazzem Hossain to rigorous imprisonment (RI) for eight years.