DB police question Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) is questioning Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, over an unspecified incident.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy Commissioner (Media) Md Akhter Hossain confirmed the matter on Wednesday (4 November).

He said Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury had been brought to the DB office for questioning in connection with an untoward incident.

Asked whether he had been arrested, Akhter Hossain said the DB had informed him that Chowdhury was brought in for questioning.

Iqbal Sobhan is accused of claiming the chairmanship of DBC News and attempting to take control of the television channel.

Sources alleged that intelligence agencies had prior information about a possible attempt to create unrest at the media outlet. Acting on confidential information, the DB took steps to prevent any untoward incident, according to the allegations.

The incident has drawn attention amid ongoing labour unrest in the garment sector, with allegations that attempts are also being made to create tensions in the media industry.

Iqbal Sobhan and some pro-Awami League journalists had allegedly held several confidential meetings in recent days to discuss taking control of media outlets amid the ongoing garment sector unrest. The alleged attempt to take over DBC News was said to be part of that effort.