Cases of information theft filed against journalist Rozina Islam
Amid widespread protests and condemnation the Health Services Department of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has filed a case against Rozina Islam, a senior journalist of Prothom Alo under the Official Secrets Act.
On Monday (May 17), Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Health Services Dr. Md. Shibbir Ahmed Osmani lodged the complaint against her at Shahbagh police station on behalf of the ministry. The police later filed the complaint in the form of a case.
As stated in the statement of case, With due respect it is stated that on Monday 17.05.2021 at 02.55 pm a woman entered in the office of the Private Secretary to the Secretary of the Ministry of Health Services, Health and Family Welfare, Rozina Islam, father-deceased Muslim Mia, mother – Mst.- Taslima Begum, Husband- Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, house-972, 5th floor, police station-Shahjahanpur, Dhaka, mobile number-01712-120552. At that time the private secretary was in the secretary's room for official work. The woman hid important papers in different parts of her body and took snaps with her mobile phone. At the secretary's office, the police member in charge Mizanur Rahman Khan (Constable No. 33271, Secretariat, DMP, Dhaka) saw it and interrupted her and wanted to know what she is doing in the room in the absence of the designated officer.
At this time she introduced herself as a journalist. Later, Additional Secretary Kazi Jebunnesa Begum, Deputy Secretary Zakia Parveen, Senior Assistant Secretary Sharmin Sultana, Private Secretary to the Secretary Saiful Islam Bhuiyan, Senior Assistant Secretary Mosaddeq Mehedi Imam, Office Assistant Mahfuzul Islam, Sohrab Hossain and other officials and staff came to the spot. Additional Secretary Kazi Jebunnesa Begum searched and recovered a mobile phone with some important documents and snap shots from her. It appeared that she was stealing the documents. At that time, female police personnel of Shahbagh Police Station led by the Additional Commissioner of Police in charge of the security of the Secretariat came to the spot and took her into custody.
It is to be noted that negotiations on purchase / procurement of vaccines in Bangladesh are underway with various countries and draft Memorandum of Understanding and Non-Disclosure Agreements are being prepared. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are being exchanged between the parties through letters and e-mails, which contain important state information. Among the documents that the woman was photographing were the important documents mentioned. If all this information is disseminated to the public, there is a danger that Bangladesh's relations with the countries concerned will be damaged. The said documents are kept in the Ministry as they are important, which will be displayed later as per the directions of the wise court. It was delayed to file a complaint after discussing with the higher authorities. Therefore, it was requested to take legal action in this regard.
Incidentally, journalist Rozina Islam went to the Ministry of Health in the Secretariat this afternoon to perform her professional duties. She was locked in a room there and her phone was confiscated. At one point she fell ill there. In that condition she was taken to Shahbagh police station.
Meanwhile, journalists are protesting in front of Shahbagh Police Station demanding stopping of harassment of Rozina Islam and her release. At the same time, they demanded the punishment of the corrupt officials of the Health Ministry and the resignation of the Health Minister.
Leaders of various organizations and journalists have expressed their anger over the incident. Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman GM Quader has strongly condemned the arrest and harassment of journalist Rozina Islam. He said in a statement that an impartial investigation was needed into the harassment of journalist Rozina Islam inside the ministry. The treatment meted out to her is shameful. He said it was the responsibility of the state to ensure independent journalism and the safety of journalists.