-Md. Kamal Uddin: -A fabricated case allegation, a long struggle and the path to establishing the truth: A citizen’s greatest asset is his honesty, respect and social acceptance. Money and wealth can be regained by losing it, but when a person becomes known to the society as an accused in a false criminal case, that wound has to be borne by a person for many years. A chapter has also been added to my life, the burden of which I have had to bear for years. I claim that in 2014, the then DB Yaba case filed in my name at Dhaka Motijheel Police Station (Motijheel Police Station Case No. 5/7/2014) involving me was completely baseless, purposeful and was filed to harass me. Due to this case, I did not only have to face legal complications; rather, it has also had a negative impact on my personal, social, family and professional life.
According to my complaint, after a specific incident, I want an apology from the concerned. Since then, I have been treated badly and later I was accused in a drug case. I denied the allegations from the beginning and claimed that there was no factual basis for the allegations against me. I did not remain silent after the incident. I took refuge in the law, filed written complaints with various departments and requested an impartial investigation. I believed that the truth would be established one day. As per my demand, the matter was later reviewed in multiple investigations. After the investigation, I was discharged from the case and the court later dismissed the case. I believe that this decision of the court has supported my long-standing position. But my suffering did not end here. Even after the court’s decision, I noticed that my name is still associated with that case in the PCPR database of the Bangladesh Police. I allege that using this information, some individuals and groups have spread propaganda against me at different times and tried to humiliate me socially. I am a writer, journalist and television presenter. I believe that this information has been used to tarnish the reputation I have earned in my long professional life. I am a real example of how long an innocent citizen has to pay the price if his old information is not corrected in the government records even after a case is dismissed in court. Today, I want to approach the law not for revenge but for justice. I want the court and the concerned authorities to examine the matter and if there is any administrative error, negligence or irresponsibility, then it should be properly remedied. For this purpose, I have consulted two barristers and five senior lawyers. After reviewing the documents, investigation-related information and court orders with them, it has been decided to take further legal action. My aim is not to express malice against any person or institution. My aim is to restore my dignity as a citizen, to make necessary corrections in the government database and to ensure justice through the law.
This fight is not just mine; it is for every person who believes that citizens, like every institution of the state, have the right to justice. It may take time to establish the truth, but one should not lose faith in the law. I will continue my legal fight with that faith. : Investigation, court proceedings, government databases and defamation allegations – I have been claiming from the beginning that the Yaba case filed against me in 2014 was baseless. That is why I submitted a written complaint to the concerned authorities without going beyond the legal process and requested an impartial investigation. My aim was one and the same – that the real truth of the incident should be revealed and if any wrongdoing was done, it should be remedied through the law. As per my demand, multiple investigations were conducted on the matter. After reviewing the information, documents and evidence collected during the investigation, I was discharged from the case and later the court dismissed the case. I see this incident as an important example of trust in the judiciary, because in the end it was through the court process that I got legal relief. However, even after the court’s decision, I still have a serious concern. According to my observation, my name has been associated with that case in the PCPR database of Bangladesh Police for a long time. If it was necessary to correct the record as per the final order of the court, then I still want to know the answer to this question. My complaint is that some individuals and an organized group have been spreading propaganda against me at various times based on this information. I think they have tried to question me socially by using only old information instead of highlighting the subsequent position of the court or the outcome of the case. As a result, my personal reputation, professional acceptance and social status have been damaged. As a writer, journalist and television presenter, I have been associated with various social, cultural and media-related activities for a long time. The mainstay of my profession is credibility and public trust. Therefore, using information from a dismissed case against me to spread misleading propaganda can cause harm not only personally but also professionally. I believe that if a person is acquitted in a legal proceeding or if a court dismisses a case, it is important that that decision is properly reflected in government records and administrative databases. This protects the rights of citizens and avoids confusion and possible defamation in the future. In this context, I have decided to seek legal redress in the matter after consulting with lawyers. My intention is to review the matter through the courts, seek directions to amend the government records where necessary, and seek redress for the defamation and damage I claim to have suffered. At the same time,I believe that responsibility is very important in disclosing information about a person on social media or any other medium. Disclosing incomplete information without considering the full position of the court or the subsequent legal outcome can damage the honor and rights of the person concerned. I have full faith in the law. Therefore, every step I take in this regard will be taken in a legal manner. I believe that the court will give a final decision based on relevant documents and evidence. I hope that this legal process will not only ensure my personal remedy; at the same time, it will also help in setting a positive example in preserving government information, updating information and protecting the reputation of citizens. – Trust in the rule of law, expectation of justice and commitment to the future – This legal initiative of mine is not a vindictive step against any person or institution. My sole purpose is to seek legal redress for the injustice I have suffered as per my claim and to establish justice through the court. I believe that like every citizen of the state, I am entitled to respect, justice and equal protection of the law as per the rights granted by the constitution. If a case filed against a citizen is later resolved through investigation and judicial process, it is important that that legal position is also properly reflected in the government records. This is not just a question of the dignity of an individual; it is also an important part of the rule of law, administrative accountability and good governance. That is why I have decided to seek the necessary legal remedies in accordance with the prevailing law in consultation with my lawyers. The relevant documents, orders, records and other admissible evidence will be presented to the court. It is my expectation that the court will evaluate them and make a decision in light of the law. I also believe that it is important to consider the accuracy, context and legal position in publishing or disseminating information about a person. Socially degrading someone based on incomplete or outdated information is not consistent with the principles of individual rights and fairness.However, it is important that that legal position is also properly reflected in government records. This is not just a question of an individual’s dignity; it is also an important part of the rule of law, administrative accountability and good governance. That is why I have decided to seek the necessary legal remedies under the prevailing law in consultation with my lawyers. The relevant documents, orders, records and other admissible evidence will be presented to the court. It is my expectation that the court will evaluate them and decide in light of the law. I also believe that it is important to consider the accuracy, context and legal position in publishing or disseminating information about an individual. Socially degrading someone based on incomplete or outdated information is not consistent with the principles of individual rights and fairness.However, it is important that that legal position is also properly reflected in government records. This is not just a question of an individual’s dignity; it is also an important part of the rule of law, administrative accountability and good governance. That is why I have decided to seek the necessary legal remedies under the prevailing law in consultation with my lawyers. The relevant documents, orders, records and other admissible evidence will be presented to the court. It is my expectation that the court will evaluate them and decide in light of the law. I also believe that it is important to consider the accuracy, context and legal position in publishing or disseminating information about an individual. Socially degrading someone based on incomplete or outdated information is not consistent with the principles of individual rights and fairness.
In my long professional life, I have been associated with writing, journalism and the media. As a person working in public life, I have always respected criticism. But criticism and false or misleading information-based propaganda are not the same thing. In a democratic society, freedom of expression is as important as protecting the reputation and rights of others.
My legal fight is not only to restore personal honor; rather, it is also associated with the hope that no innocent citizen will face a similar situation in the future. If there is any administrative error or lack of information updates, it should be resolved appropriately—this is my belief. I have full faith in the courts, the constitution and the country’s judicial system. I will present my statement and expect justice based on these three foundations—truth, evidence and law. I believe that when justice is established, not only the rights of an individual are restored; the trust of citizens in the state is also strengthened. With that belief, I will continue my legal path.