Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) today claimed to have detained three men in Chattogram, Bogura and Rajshahi for allegedly spreading photoshopped images and making derogatory comments about the prime minister on social media.

In Chattogram, Rab-7 arrested Md Tofazzal Hossen Helal, 40, a carpenter early today for allegedly making derogatory comments against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on social media.

He was arrested from Bolirhat area under Chandgaon Police Station in the city, said Major Mehedi Hasan, deputy director of Rab-7.

The Rab official said Helal has been posting derogatory comments and distorted photos of PM and Roads Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader from his Facebook ID over a long time.

“Scrutinising his social media ID, it is apparent that he is a supporter of BNP,” Major Mehedi said, adding that he was handed over to Chandgaon Police Station for the next course of action.

In Bogura, Rab-12 personnel arrested Abu Rayhan Al- Biruni Pushkin, 36, a local businessman, early today for allegedly spreading rumours against government through Facebook.

Pushkin was arrested from his home at Naruli Moddhyapara of Bogura Sadar upazila, said Assistant Superintendent of Police SM Jamil Ahmed, also an official of Rab-12.

“We arrested him based on secret information that Pushkin has been spreading propaganda and false information against government, high ranked-government officials and army for a long time,” he said.

Rab also seized two mobile phones and 17 screenshots of his Facebook shares and messenger during the raid, Jamil Ahmed also said, adding that the arrestee has been handed over to Bogura Sadar Police Station.

A case under Digital Security Act was also filed with the police station against him, he added.

SM Bodiuzzaman, officer-in-charge of the police station, confirmed the development to The Daily Star.

In Rajshahi, Md Akhlakuzzaman Ansari, 43, was arrested yesterday for spreading fake images of prominent persons of home and abroad like Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Tarana Halim, Aung San Suu Kyi through his android phone, a press release of Rab-5 today read.

He was arrested from his home for spreading false images which were used to propagate unrest, the press release added.

The High Court today questioned the legality of two sections under the Digital Security Act involving the publishing of false or intimidating information, and crimes and penalty for deterioration of law and order.

The court issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why sections 25 and 31 of the Digital Security Act 2018 should not be declared unconstitutional.

Secretaries to the ministries of law, and information and communication technology have been made respondents to the rule.   

The bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Md Mahmud Hassan Talukder came up with the rule, following a writ petition collectively filed by nine people.

The petitioners are Dhaka University teachers Mohammad Ismail, Md Kamruzzaman and Md Rafiqul Islam, journalist Mohammad Abdullah, Supreme Court lawyers Md Asad Uddin, Md Asaduzzaman, Md Zobaidur Rahman, Md Mohiuddin Molla and Md Mujahidul Islam.     

They submitted the petition to the HC on January 19, saying the two sections of the Digital Security Act are hampering the freedom of expression and thought.

According to section 25 (1) of the act, "If any person using a website or any digital device-(a) deliberately or knowingly distributes any information or data that is attacking or intimidating in nature; or if a person publishes or distributes any information despite knowing that it is false to irritate, humiliate, defame or embarrass or to discredit a person.

(b) Damages the image and reputation of the state or spreads confusion or with the same purpose publishes or distributes fully or partially distorted information or data despite knowing that it is false, and if any one assists in such actions then all such actions of the individual will be considered a crime."

Section 31 says, "If a person deliberately publishes or broadcasts via a website or any digital platform anything that creates enmity, hatred or acrimony among different classes or communities, or upsets communal harmony, or creates unrest or chaos, or causes or begins to cause deterioration in law and order, then that activity of the said person will be considered a crime."

The writ petitioners said in the petition that sections of the law by imposing a blanket prohibition on publication of materials which may create hostility between communities or cause unrest or disorder or causes or is likely to cause any deterioration in the law and order situation violates the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under article 39 of the constitution.

The sections have conferred arbitrary and uncontrolled powers upon the executive and the prosecuting authority to determine whether a particular act satisfies the vague and unspecified ingredients of offence and therefore, sections are liable to be struck down as being in violation of the constitution. 

Barrister Imran A Siddique and Advocate Shishir Monir appeared for the writ petitioners.

The High Court today issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why sections 25 and 31 of the Digital Security Act 2018 should not be declared unconstitutional.

Secretaries to the ministries of law, and information and communication technology have been made respondents to the rule.   

The relevant sections criminalise the publishing of false and intimidating information -- contributing to the deterioration of law and order -- and detail the penalties for offenders.

The bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Md Mahmud Hassan Talukder issued the rule following a writ petition filed collectively by nine people challenging the legality of sections 25 and 31 of the Digital Security Act 2018.

The petitioners are Dhaka University teachers Mohammad Ismail, Md Kamruzzaman and Md Rafiqul Islam; journalist Mohammad Abdullah; Supreme Court lawyers Md Asad Uddin, Md Asaduzzaman, Md Zobaidur Rahman, Md Mohiuddin Molla and Md Mujahidul Islam.     

They submitted the petition to the HC on January 19 this year, saying that the two sections of the Digital Security Act are hampering freedom of expression and thought.

According to section 25 (1) of the act, "If any person using a website or any digital device-(a) deliberately or knowingly distributes any information or data that is attacking or intimidating in nature; or if a person publishes or distributes any information despite knowing that it is false to irritate, humiliate, defame or embarrass or to discredit a person

"(b) Damages the image and reputation of the State or spreads confusion or with the same purpose publishes or distributes fully or partially distorted information or data despite knowing that it is false, and if anyone assists in such actions then all such actions of the individual will be considered a crime".

Section 31 says, "If a person deliberately publishes or broadcasts via a website or any digital platform anything that creates enmity, hatred or acrimony among different classes or communities, or upsets communal harmony, or creates unrest or chaos, or causes or begins to cause deterioration in law and order, then that activity of the said person will be considered a crime".

The petition said that by imposing a blanket prohibition on, as detailed in section 31, publication of materials which may create hostility between communities or cause unrest or disorder or causes or is likely to cause any deterioration in the law and order situation violates the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under article 39 of the constitution.

The sections have conferred arbitrary and uncontrolled powers upon the executive and the prosecuting authority to determine whether a particular act satisfies the vague and unspecified ingredients of offence and therefore, the sections are liable to be struck down as being in violation of the constitution, the petition said. 

Barrister Imran A Siddique and Advocate Shishir Monir appeared for the writ petitioners.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-10) today claimed to have detained a man on charge of spreading rumours on social media.

The detainee, Mohammad Ali alias Rubel, 28, was held from Banglabazar area in Old Dhaka last evening, Ashraful Huq, second-in-command of Rab-10 told The Daily Star.

Two mobile phone sets and a SIM card were also recovered from his possession, the Rab official said.

Upon going through his mobile phone, the elite force members found Mohammad Ali posted defamatory statements against lawmakers and political party leaders on social media platform Facebook.

His intention was to create anarchy in the state by spreading false information, Ashraful said.

A case was filed against him under the Digital Security Act with Sutrapur Police Station in this regard.