Assam Journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder: Released on Bail Twice, Still Detained
The Ongoing Legal Struggle of Dilwar Hussain Mozumder
Second Bail Granted
In a recent development, journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder received bail for the second time in a week from a Guwahati court on Friday. The bail was granted in response to allegations of trespassing into a bank, as reported by The Indian Express.
Initial Arrest and Subsequent Bail
Mozumder was first arrested on Wednesday in a separate case. Fortunately, he was granted bail the following day. However, his release was short-lived, as he was arrested again on Thursday due to a complaint filed by the managing director of the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank in connection with the second case.
Delayed Paperwork
Although the chief judicial magistrate’s court approved Mozumder’s bail petition in the trespassing case, the necessary formalities could not be completed because of the late hour. Mozumder’s lawyer, AS Tapadar, remained hopeful that the situation would improve the next day.
Questioning Leads to Arrest
Mozumder, a journalist with digital news outlet The CrossCurrent, was initially detained by the police on Tuesday after questioning Dombaru Saikia, the managing director of the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank, about alleged financial irregularities.
Chief Minister’s Involvement
It is worth noting that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is a director of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank, and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Biswajit Phukan serves as its chairman.
Protests and Arrests
Mozumder was initially detained on Tuesday following a protest by Jatiya Yuva Shakti, the youth wing of the Assam Jatiya Parishad, against alleged financial irregularities in the bank. He was later arrested in the first case filed by a security guard at the bank on charges of criminal intimidation and under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Bank Official’s Complaint
In his complaint, Saikia alleged that Mozumder had trespassed onto the first floor of the office on Tuesday and attempted to take away documents. The journalist supposedly fled after the bank staff raised an alarm and made caste-based derogatory remarks towards the security guard.
Protests Against Mozumder’s Arrest
Journalists and news associations protested Mozumder’s arrest on Wednesday, viewing it as an attack on press freedom. However, Chief Minister Sarma questioned whether Mozumder could be considered a “journalist”, stating that the state government does not officially recognize individuals working in digital news outlets as journalists.
Chief Minister’s Opinion
Sarma argued that Mozumder should be viewed as a businessperson, as he owns a dumper business. He emphasized that Mozumder was not arrested in connection with journalism-related matters.
