Shawdesh Desk:

In an unprecedented move, a mobile court led by two to three executive magistrates at Kurigram deputy commissioner’s office entered a journalist’s residence and handed down one year jail term to him for allegedly keeping drugs in the house on early Friday.

Arrested Ariful Islam, Kurigram district correspondent of online news portal Bangla Tribune, was allegedly picked up by 15 to 20 Anser members from his residence at midnight.

Later, he was taken to Kurigram deputy commissioner’s office, where mobile court sentenced him to one year’s simple imprisonment.

It was claimed that a half bottle of contraband liquor and half a kilogramme of marijuana were recovered from Ariful’s house.

However, family members of the jailed journalist said that two-three executive magistrates along with some Anser members broke into their house at midnight and took Ariful to Kurigram deputy commissioner’s office.

They claimed, “Mosa Sultana Parveen is currently working as deputy commissioner of Kurigram. She wanted to name a local pond after her name after re-excavation work. Ariful covered a news report on this matter, which infuriated the DC.”

Rangpur Divisional Commissioner AK Tariqul Islam was assigned to look into the matter, said Abdul Gaffer Khan, Additional Secretary of Cabinet Division, told media on Saturday noon.

He said, “We have heard about the incident (imprisonment of journalist Ariful). Concerned Divisional Commissioner has been asked to investigate the matter and submit the findings by tomorrow (Sunday). We will take the next measure after getting the report.”

“If necessary, we will form a probe committee over the matter. Everything depends on the primary investigation,” the Additional Secretary added.

Rangpur Divisional Commissioner AK Tariqul Islam told media, “The cabinet division has issued necessary directives to look into the matter. We have already started the investigation.”

“Additional Divisional Commissioner (treasury) Abu Taher Md Masud Rana has already left for Kurigram. We hope that we shall be able to submit our report by the next day,” he added.