Abul Hossain Ripon, a journalist for Desh Rupantor and its Sonagazi correspondent in Feni, has been granted bail in a case related to casualties during an anti-discrimination student movement. The bail order was issued on Sunday (December 8) by Feni’s Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Shamsad Begum.

Ripon was detained by members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Thursday from his home in the Char Chandia village of Sonagazi and handed over to the Feni Model Police Station. The case was filed on November 18 by Abdur Rob, a CNG driver from Laxmipur village in Senbagh Upazila, who accused 142 named individuals and 70 unidentified persons of involvement in the incident. Ripon was listed as the 52nd accused in the case.

However, during Sunday’s court proceedings, Abdur Rob stated before the judge that he neither knew Ripon nor saw him present at the alleged incident. Considering this, the judge approved Ripon’s bail. The defense lawyer, Yusuf Alomgir, confirmed the development.

Speaking to reporters after his release, Ripon explained, “On the day of the alleged incident, I was at home. I have been practicing journalism for two decades and have no political affiliation or position. Personal enmity likely led to my inclusion in this case.”

Abdur Rob, the complainant, revealed further details about the case, admitting, “I can recognize seven or eight of the accused, but I don’t know the others. Three BNP-Jamaat leaders gave me BDT 10,000 and took my signatures on several blank stamps. Later, these papers were submitted to the Feni Model Police Station. I informed the officer-in-charge (OC) that no innocent individual should be harassed.”

The case has sparked allegations of wrongful inclusion of individuals due to political, personal, familial, and social conflicts. Apart from charges of murder, the case also accuses individuals of attempted homicide.

Feni Superintendent of Police Md. Habibur Rahman commented on the situation, stating, “We investigate the accused’s previous activities and positions within political organizations after detaining them. We also verify their whereabouts on the day of the incident using technology to ensure no innocent person is wrongfully accused.”

When asked why Ripon was arrested despite other suspects remaining at large, the Superintendent said, “I am not aware of that; RAB detained him. Please ask them for further clarification.”