ATN's "Chanchollokor Mamla" and my clarification

Shahidul Alam. She alleged that we requested her to withdraw from the case, in her telecast words, we asked her to "remain silent".

I am currently abroad and although I have not seen the programme I have been given the complete transcript. I would therefore like to respond to the contents of the programme and the specific allegations made by Mrs. Sigma Huda.

Out of deep concern for the safety and security of the family members of Azam Reza and his household staff who were physically harassed by the police during interrogation, and also the manner in which the investigation was being conducted, we arranged to meet with Mrs. Sigma Huda, a women's rights and human rights lawyer in her office on 20 January 2004 at 6:00pm.

On meeting her, I told Mrs. Sigma Huda of the incident and expressed our acute concern about the intimidation and torture of the household staff. She listened to suggestions, promised to help, and called a legal assistant who then informed her that her office had already consented to represent Joyonti's family. On hearing this, we immediately said that if that was the case, there was nothing further to be said, except to repeat our expectations that the investigation be conducted impartially, in the interests of justice.

We left her office on this basis. She did not suggest any lawyer's name to us, something she has claimed on the ATN programme.

During the entire meeting, at no time whatsoever, did I or any of the others present, request or insinuate or suggest in any manner or form that she or her organisation should withdraw from this (or, for that matter, from any other) case, or that she should 'remain silent'. In this context, Mrs. Huda's recounting of events of our 20th January meeting is shocking. For me, the timing of the programme is also worrying as Azam Reza's appeal in the High Court is pending and such comments in a TV programme may affect and prejudice proper dispensation of justice.

Why Sigma Huda presented the case in the TV programme the way she did? Refuting her version is not an easy matter for me. We, the family of Azam Reza, feel it is now imperative to come out with the truth. We hope that ultimately justice will prevail in our country.