Police stations not taking missing journalist’s case

We are shocked at the way two police stations have treated the case of Shafiqul Islam Kajol, a journalist who has been missing for a week after a case was filed against him by a lawmaker. According to a report, his family members have described how their numerous attempts to file a case in this regard went in vain as both police stations they went to, namely Chawkbazar Police Station and New Market Police Station, refused to record the case saying it was not under their jurisdiction.

It is all very puzzling as the family had filed a general diary in the Chawkbazar station after Kajol went missing so if they had accepted the general diary why wouldn't they accept the case? The argument given by the sub inspector investigating the general diary, that Kajol was seen near the New Market area and so the case must be filed at the station there, is flimsy to say the least. So is this an example of a bureaucratic confusion regarding what is under a police station's jurisdiction or is it just an avoidance of taking a case because of political motivations? Kajol's family thinks it is the latter and it is hard not to be swayed by such a contention. There have been many instances (as reported in the media) of police not taking a case filed by those who are either part of the political elite or connected to it.

According to reports, Kajol's disappearance came a day after a ruling party lawmaker from Magura-1 filed a case against him, along with the Editor-in-chief of daily Manabzamin, and 30 others on charge of publishing a report with "false information" and circulating it on social media.

   The police have an obligation to take on cases of missing persons—it is their job and when they refuse to take on a case it will obviously raise suspicion regarding their motive to do so. We urge the higher authorities to make sure the police station takes the case and does everything in its power to find Kajol.