Senior Journalist A H M Faruk Sued in Two Fabricated Cases

The case alleges an extortion demand of BDT 20 lakh and cyber-related offenses. M N Absar alleged in the complaint that Md abul Hosen, Popularly known as  A H M Faruk, demanded BDT 20 lakh from him and published critical posts on social media

Two separate retaliatory cases have been filed against senior journalist, columnist, and Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) researcher Md abul Hosen, Popularly known as  A. H. M. Faruk.

Although the cases were registered on August 30, 2026, at Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station, the matter came to light on September 13 after an influential group kept the filings hidden in a bid to arrest him surreptitiously.

In a joint statement, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) expressed strong condemnation and deep concern over the filing of false and vindictive cases against Md. Abul Hossain, alias A. H. M. Faruk.

According to police sources and official documents, Case No. 17 was filed on August 30, 2026, by M N Absar, General Secretary of Khagrachhari District BNP and a newly appointed member of the Khagrachhari Hill District Council.

The case alleges an extortion demand of BDT 20 lakh and cyber-related offenses. M N Absar alleged in the complaint that Md abul Hosen, Popularly known as  A H M Faruk, demanded BDT 20 lakh from him and published critical posts on social media.

It is learned that another case under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act was filed by Prophullamoy Dutta, alias H M Prafulla, known as the former Assistant Private Secretary (APS) to Khagrachhari Member of Parliament Wadud Bhuiyan.

The case was registered as Case No. 18 on August 30, 2026. He accused the journalist of publishing defamatory content against him on social media.

Addressing the allegations, Md abul Hosen, Popularly known as  A H M Faruk, stated that he has been practicing journalism for 25 years and currently focuses his research on CHT regional politics, the Rohingya crisis, and India-Myanmar border issues. He regularly writes op-eds for major national daily newspapers, speaks on television talk shows, and reports on corruption and administrative irregularities on social media.

Expressing his political and background details, Md abul Hosen, Popularly known as  A H M Faruk, said, "I have been involved with Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal since my student life and currently serve as the Secretary of Information and Research for the Khagrachhari District BNP. Recently, senior and dedicated party leaders who suffered 17 years of political repression were bypassed in the appointment of the Chairman and members of the Khagrachhari Hill District Council."

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He also said, "Instead, controversial individuals—including a 3rd-class employee (Mrasathowai Marma) who was exempted from service to be appointed as Chairman, as well as persons previously linked with UPDF and the Awami League—were appointed. My writing and protest against these irregularities angered certain corrupt, influential party figures who are now resorting to legal harassment through lawsuits."

He added, "M N Absar, my political colleague, filed a false extortion case against me, while H M Prophulla filed defamatory charges under ICT laws. Everyone has the right to seek legal remedies, and I will contest these false charges legally. However, using political influence, the complainants are misusing law enforcement agencies to monitor and conduct phone surveillance/tracking against me and my family."

Md abul Hosen, Popularly known as  A H M Faruk, is a permanent resident of Khagrachhari, though he has been working in Dhaka since 2009. He previously faced physical attacks and false cases in 2009 and 2011 due to his professional reporting.

Over his career, he served as the senior Reporter roles across various news outlets, including Daily Inqilab, Daily Alokitobangladesh, Bangla TV, Daily Bangladesher Khobor, Poriborton.com, and worked in Executive Editor of Manobadhikar Khobor.

Currently, he writes as a freelance columnist and analyst. He is a member of the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) and serves as the President of the Parbatya Chattogram Samity, Dhaka.

IFJ and BMSF Issue Joint Press Statement

Meanwhile, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) issued a joint press statement expressing deep concern and strong condemnation over the filing of false, retaliatory cases against Md abul Hosen, Popularly known as  A H M Faruk.

In the statement, IFJ and BMSF highlighted that abusing information technology laws to suppress senior journalists who speak out against corruption is extremely alarming. They noted that the cases were deliberately kept secret to orchestrate a covert arrest before becoming public.

The international and national rights organizations raised three major demands:

Immediate Withdrawal of Cases

Unconditional dismissal and immediate withdrawal of all fabricated charges filed against journalist Md abul Hosen, Popularly known as  A H M Faruk.

End to Harassment & Phone Tracking

Immediate cessation of all phone surveillance/tracking, intimidation, and harassment targeted at the journalist and his family members.

Protection of Freedom of Expression

Guaranteeing full legal protection for journalists so they can exercise their fundamental rights to free speech, investigative reporting, and anti-corruption commentary without fear of intimidation or legal abuse.