Three journalists were assaulted by 'BNP supporters' on the Supreme Court premises

At least three journalists were injured in an attack reportedly carried out by BNP activists on the Supreme Court premises yesterday. The injured journalists, Javed Akhtar (ATN News), AKM Rafiqul Islam Hasan Jabed (NTV), and Azizul Islam Pannu (Deepto TV), were covering the verdict in the 1994 train attack case on the deposed prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, in Ishwardi, Pabna. A significant number of BNP leaders and activists, including BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Habibur Rahman Habib, were also present. A disagreement between a young man and the journalists escalated into a physical altercation, prompting BNP activists to attack them. Witnesses reported seeing the journalists being punched and kicked until BNP leaders Kayser Kamal and Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas intervened.

Javed, who also serves as the president of the Law Reporters Forum, was taken to Islami Bank Hospital for medical treatment. The forum condemned the attack and called for punishment of those responsible.

In response, journalists boycotted a scheduled briefing and organized a sit-in protest. 

The High Court later acquitted all 47 individuals accused in the train attack case. The BNP Media Cell issued a statement in which BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman condemned the attack and directed party officials to assist the injured journalists.

Meanwhile, the Jatiotabadi Shecchashebok Dal expelled Mehedi Hasan, the Ishwardi Upazila unit member secretary, for his alleged involvement in the incident, citing a breach of party discipline.