Attack on Journos: Medical centre owner, three others remanded

A Dhaka court yesterday placed four people, including the owner of a medical centre, on three-day remand each in a case filed over attempting to kill a senior reporter and cameraperson of Independent Television in Kamrangirchar.

The accused are Dr MH Osmani (55), owner of SPA River Side Medical Centre; Dr DMA Abu Zahid (55), a physician of the centre; Abul Hasanat Sumon, director (admin and finance); and Rassel Howlader (38), accounts manager of Life and Care Hospital. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Farha Diba Chhanda passed the order after IO Mohammad Mostafa Anowar, an inspector of Kamrangirchar Police Station, produced them with a five-day remand prayer, said court sources.

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In the remand prayer, the IO said the four and their associates attacked journalists with an intention to kill them on Tuesday, when the news-people went to the centre to collect information about irregularities and corruption of physicians.

The defence, however, submitted a petition, seeking bail along with cancellation of the remand prayer, saying their clients were not involved in the incident.

Upon hearing both sides, the magistrate turned down the defence's pleas.

According to the case statements, Independent Television senior reporter Meshbahul Islam alias Hasan Meshbah and cameraperson Saju Miah went to the centre around 3:00pm to collect information about Dr Osmani and another physician.

On hearing the allegations brought against them, Dr Osmani and the other accused attacked them, vandalised their car, damaged video footage and snatched away their valuables.

The attack left the journalists seriously injured.

After hearing the news, sub-inspector Milon Hussain along with his force went there and assaulted the journalists, instead of rescuing them, the statement read.

SI Milon has been suspended.

Police then arrested four accused from the spot on charge of injuring the journalists.