Dhaka Tribune journo Hedait acquitted in DSA case

A Dhaka court has acquitted Dhaka Tribune’s Khulna Correspondent Hedait Hossain Molla in a case filed under the Digital Security Act, for a report regarding the 11th general election. 

Dhaka Cyber Tribunal judge Md As-Shams Jaglul Hossain passed the order on Wednesday, Shamim Al Mamun, the tribunal's bench assistant, confirmed Dhaka Tribune.

Speaking to the media, Hedait said that he, along with his family, got into a lot of trouble for stating the truth.

“Truth has prevailed with this verdict,” he added.

On January 2, 2019, police arrested Hedait in a case, filed by Khulna Assistant Returning Officer and Batiaghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer Debashish Chowdhury at Batiaghata police station, over providing “untrue” information regarding the11th general poll results.

Hedait is also the Khulna correspondent of the Bangla Tribune and city editor of Khulna-based Daily Probaho.

Rashidul Islam, the Khulna correspondent of Daily Manabzamin, was also sued in the same case.

In the first information report (FIR), Debashish wrote that despite 80% voter turnout in the Khulna 1 constituency, which encompasses Batighata and Dacope upazila, Hedait had reported that 22,419 more votes than the actual number of voters were cast in the constituency during the December 30 election.