Suman Hossain, Benapole correspondent for Daynik Nawapara newspaper, filed a case on Tuesday against Zillur Rahman Chowdhury, Chairman of the Bangladesh Land Port Authority, and former Benapole Land Port Deputy Director, Rezaul Karim.
Suman lodged the case at the Senior Judicial Magistrate's Court, Benapole Port Thana, on charges of issuing death threats and extortion.
Lawyer Md. Ruhin Baluj stated that the learned court judge has instructed the CID to investigate the plaintiff's complaint.
Suman claimed that on 23 August 2024, the first accused, Rezaul Karim, and the second accused, Zillur Rahman, summoned him to the Benapole rest house to discuss a news report regarding corruption at Benapole Port.
Suman informed Zillur Rahman of widespread irregularities and corruption in the ongoing development work at the Benapole vehicle terminal. He also sent a video recording as evidence of the corruption and sought Rahman's comments on the matter.
Later, Zillur Rahman asked Suman to meet at the Benapole rest house.
Suman said, "The first accused, Rezaul Karim, and the second accused, Zillur Rahman, threatened me with death and a lawsuit if I published the news in the newspaper."
Subsequently, Rezaul Karim allegedly demanded Tk 10 lakh from Suman on the condition that he would not file a false case.
Rezaul Karim, the former director of Benapole Land Port, stated, "Get a statement from the chairman on this matter. Many others were present in the rest house with the chairman."
