Probe stalls over missing devices

More than eight months after Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s X account was allegedly hacked, investigators have yet to obtain key forensic evidence, with the complainant’s side still withholding devices sought by the Detective Branch (DB) of police.

The DB has sent at least three letters requesting mobile phones and other devices for forensic examination. Although a court authorised the seizure of the devices and their forensic testing on April 6, investigators have not yet received them. The next deadline for submitting the investigation report is November 3.

Investigators say examining the devices is crucial to determining when, where and how unauthorised access to the account may have occurred. The complainant, Md Sirajul Islam, however, said they were not refusing to cooperate but remained concerned about device security.

Islam said he had met DB officials twice to discuss the issue and proposed that the devices be examined in their presence.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Sarwar Alam, an assistant programmer at Bangabhaban and an accused in the case, continues to deny involvement. The DB seized and examined his mobile phone, laptop and desktop computer, but the investigation officer said the forensic report was still pending. Investigators have also sought information from X, formerly Twitter, but have received no update.

Sarwar Alam said he had been unable to return to work after being temporarily suspended over the case. With only a few months remaining before the end of his service, he fears losing retirement benefits if the investigation drags on. He has called for a proper investigation, saying he expects justice if the facts are established.

The controversy began on January 31, when an English-language post concerning working women appeared on Shafiqur Rahman’s X account. The post triggered widespread criticism and protests. Jamaat later alleged that the account had been hacked using a government email account.

A case was subsequently filed against Sarwar Alam and 15 to 20 unidentified individuals. The DB detained Sarwar on February 3, and he was shown arrested in the case the following day. He secured bail from a court that day.

Omar Faruque Faruqui, the public prosecutor at the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, said all parties should cooperate with investigators. He also stressed that innocent people must not be subjected to harassment.

With the complainant’s devices still unavailable for forensic examination and information from X pending, investigators have yet to establish whether the account was accessed without authorisation or whether Sarwar Alam was involved.