A Dhaka court on Monday accepted the charge sheet brought against photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA) at Kamrangirchar police station.
Metropolitan Magistrate Debdash Chandra Adhikary passed the order after scrutinizing the case dockets and other relevant documents in the case.
After accepting the charge sheet, the magistrate sent it to Dhaka acting chief metropolitan magistrate Abu Bakkar Siddique and he handed over the case documents to the Cyber Tribunal (Bangladesh) in Dhaka, court for its disposal by holding trial.
Photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol was present before the court.
Also read: Kajol: I am yet to be free
On March 14 Sub-inspector Mohammad Russell Mollah of Detective Branch of Police, also investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet against the lone accused to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka showing nine people as prosecution witnesses.
According to the charge sheet, Kajol published fake news on his Facebook page regarding the arrest and alleged crimes of expelled Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Nur Papia.
Also read: Court grants photojournalist Kajol permanent bail, acknowledges DSA charges
The charge sheet also alleges that he tried to extort money from female Awami League activists and leaders by threatening to defame them with doctored and indecent photos.
Sumaiya Chowdhury Bonya, a member of the central committee of Bangladesh Jubo Mahila League, filed the case with Kamrangirchar police station under the Digital Security Act on March 11, 2020.
The photojournalist was shown arrested in the case on May 14, 2020. On June 28, he was placed on a two-day remand.