The editor of Amar Desh Mahmudur Rahman was arrested on the specific allegations of lying, hacking and instigating religious fanaticism while Diganta Television and Islamic TV were shut down for broadcasting misleading information and news, information minister Hasanul Haq Inu said on Monday.
The minister was speaking at a press briefing at the press information office at the information ministry to clarify the government’s reaction to the statement issued by the editors of 15 newspapers demanding the unconditional release of Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman, removing the ban on the three media outlets.
Inu said: “Mahmudur Rahman was arrested for hacking Skype conversations and hurting religious sentiments of the people of the country. He was not arrested to serve any political interest or because he had different opinions.”
“Evidence of hacking and relevant equipment was found in the Amar Desh office. There is no ban on its publication. It can be published from other presses but legal permission is needed for that,” the minister told reporters.
Inu said the Daily Sangram had already submitted a written apology for publishing Amar Desh from its press without permission.
The minister claimed that Amar Desh had violated the Print and Publication Act 1973 by printing its paper in another press without permission.
The information minister said Mahmudur Rahman might face 10 years imprisonment or fined Tk10 million, if found guilty according to the law.
He said, now it is a matter for the court.
Inu, however, requested the editors to properly examine the matter to avoid misconceptions.
He also said the Amar Desh press would remain closed till the investigation was completed.
Inu said the two TV channels violated the television policy and the conditions of the license. So the home ministry requested BTRC to shut those down.
He said, the government issued show cause to them, and they had sent a reply, which the government is now reviewing.