Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former information adviser to then prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former chairman of television channel DBC, was arrested Wednesday night in connection with a murder case filed at Jatrabari police station over the anti‑discrimination movement.
Md Shafiqul Islam, additional commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch, confirmed the arrest and noted that the case was originally filed on August 26, 2024.
Detective Branch officials took Chowdhury and DBC News journalist Rajib Ghosh into custody from the DBC News office in Mohakhali, Dhaka, and questioned them at the DB office.
Rajib Ghosh was released around midnight after prolonged questioning and handed over to his family at about 2 am after signing a personal bond.
Md Aktar Hossain, deputy commissioner of the DMP's Media and Public Relations Division, said an “unwanted situation” had arisen at the DBC office over the broadcast of a news report, prompting the DB to intervene.
The arrest highlights tensions between political figures, media personnel and law‑enforcement agencies in Bangladesh, underscoring concerns about press freedom and the rule of law.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities yet to disclose further details on the charges.
Why it matters
The arrest underscores heightened scrutiny of political figures and media personnel in Bangladesh, reflecting broader concerns about press freedom and rule of law.