Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has claimed that British news agency Reuters published a report about the murder of Chattogram court lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, quoting a police officer without actually speaking to him.
In a statement issued on Wednesday (November 27), CMP shared this information. The statement was also posted on social media by Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to the Chief Adviser.
The statement mentioned that CMP noticed a Reuters report titled “One Killed in Bangladesh as Hindu Protesters Clash With Police” published on November 27. The report revolved around the arrest and bail hearing of Chandan Kumar Dhar, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the leader of Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and the prime accused in a case filed at Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram. It covered the situation at and around the court premises. The report was subsequently carried by other outlets, including Voice of America.
In the report, Reuters quoted CMP’s Deputy Commissioner (South Division), Liaquat Ali Khan, saying, “A Muslim lawyer defending Das was killed amid protests outside the court (in Chittagong),” said police officer Liaquat Ali.
CMP stated that neither Reuters nor any of its journalists contacted Deputy Commissioner Liaquat Ali Khan for comments. They clarified that Liaquat Ali was on duty managing law and order in the court area and its surroundings at the time of the incident. CMP further noted that there are four constables named Liaquat in Chattogram, none of whom provided any statements to the media.
CMP considers it a violation of journalistic ethics to publish fabricated statements and attribute them to an on-duty police officer without verification. They expressed hope that Reuters and all media outlets would act more responsibly when publishing such reports in the future.
