Bangladesh: Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM) has expressed concern over a legal notice sent to Channel 24 and its sports journalist Ashriq Rudro concerning a report on alleged irregularities in floodlight repair work at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the notice was issued on behalf of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Facilities Department Assistant Manager Md. Imran Hossain. It disputes the allegations made in the report and questions the authenticity of a document cited. The report, aired in the last week of August, accused Imran of facilitating a change in the vendor for floodlight repair work during the previous Bangladesh Premier League.
The report cited documents indicating that the new vendor charged Tk 2,200 to clean each bulb, compared to Tk 600 charged by the previous vendor. It further alleged that Imran received a commission from the higher rate. Another document allegedly showed an expenditure of more than Tk 100,000 for procuring the design and other documents of Purbachal National Cricket Ground for submission to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The legal notice demanded that Channel 24 and Rudro disclose the source of the documents, remove the report from all platforms, and issue an unconditional apology within three working days, warning of legal action if the demands were not met.
BJIM stated that it was not taking a position on the allegations or the authenticity of the disputed document. However, it described the demands as disproportionate and potentially chilling to public-interest journalism. The organisation urged Imran to withdraw the demands and called on authorities to ensure that laws are not used to harass journalists through legal proceedings.