Prophet Remarks: CSA case filed against Khulna youth

A case has been filed under Cyber Security Act (CSA) against a youth who was beaten up by a mob over a comment on Facebook containing derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The youth is still under the custody of law enforcement agencies and receiving medical treatment. His condition is reported to be improving.

Kamal Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Khulna Sadar police station, said a complaint was lodged at his station on the night of September 5. After preliminary verification, the complaint was registered under CSA.

The case was filed by an individual named Md Nasir Hossain. The youth is charged under sections 27, 28, and 31 of the CSA, the OC added.

In the case statement, Nasir Hossain said Utshob made comments that had offended Islamic religious sentiments. The accused intentionally made inflammatory comments in a Facebook live session, insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and creating animosity, hatred, and communal discord, which disrupted public order and law.

On September 5, A college student in Khulna was thrashed by a mob over a comment on Facebook containing derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The incident occurred at around 11:45pm on Wednesday, with announcements made over mosque loudspeakers declaring his death, but law enforcement on Thursday morning confirmed that the injured, Utshob Mondal, 18, was still alive and undergoing treatment.

Authorities declined to disclose his location for security reasons.

According to locals, Utshob Mondal posted offensive comments about the Prophet (PBUH) on social media. At about 8pm, several students tracked him down and took him to the office of Deputy Police Commissioner (South) Mohammad Tazul Islam in Sonadanga.

As news spread, a crowd gathered outside the office, demanding that he be handed over to them. The situation escalated, with angry protesters surrounding the office and calling for justice.

Members of the army and navy arrived at the scene, attempting to calm the crowd. However, some time later, the mob broke into the office and attacked Utshob.

Deputy Police Commissioner Tazul said law enforcement had assured the mob that a case would be filed against Utshob and that he would be brought to justice through legal means.

Despite this, the crowd had assaulted him, leaving him critically injured, he added.

Mosque loudspeakers had been used to announce his supposed death in an effort to disperse the mob and restore calm, the police officer said.