Hearing on DB report in journalist Rozina's case deferred to Jan 15

A Dhaka court on Tuesday fixed January 15 next year for the hearing on the investigation agency's recommendation to exempt Prothom Alo senior journalist Rozina Islam from charges in an Official Secrets Act case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Noor deferred the date of the hearing on the final report of Detective Brunch (DB) police against Rozina.

The report of DB police was scheduled to be heard today (Tuesday).

On October 11, DB, the investigation agency of the case, submitted the final report seeking exemption of Rozina from the charges.

Rozina, known for her health journalism, was detained at the Secretariat for over five hours before being handed over to police on May 17 last year.

She allegedly clicked photos of documents related to government negotiations with pharma firms to buy Covid-19 vaccines, according to case documents.

An FIR was filed against Rozina under the Official Secrets Act and sections 379 and 411 of The Penal Code on a complaint filed by the Health Services Division with Shahbagh Police Station.

Later, on May 18, a Dhaka court sent Rozina to jail after rejecting the police's demand for her five-day remand. Rozina was taken to Kashimpur Central Women's Jail on that day only.

On May 23, she walked out of Kashimpur Women's Central Jail after securing interim bail from a Dhaka court, reports UNB.