Female journalist fired for refusing to accept unfair offer: Editor Mintu resigns while investigation continues

❐ Staff Reporter

Banglanews24.com editor Touhidul Islam Mintu has been forced to resign amid an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, harassment and dismissal of a female journalist. However, Mintu says he resigned voluntarily.

A former female reporter who was a victim has written to several journalist and women’s organizations, including Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), National Press Club, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), and Capital Market Journalists Forum (CMJF), demanding justice and an impartial investigation.

At the same time, he has also sent the matter to the chairman and managing director (MD) of the concerned media house for information.

She alleged that she was subjected to sexual harassment, abuse of power, psychological abuse, and later serious allegations of retaliatory dismissal.

The female journalist who filed the complaint has made it clear that her fight is not for reinstatement; rather, it is to ensure fair justice for sexual harassment, abuse of power, and unfair retaliation in the workplace.

In a written complaint, the victim female journalist said that since May 2025, the accused editor used to call her to his office irregularly on various pretexts. She was also given some personal responsibilities outside the conventional reporting process of the media. At one stage, the editor took her to ‘Zinda Park’ outside the office, talking about news planning.

According to the complaint, while she was in the car on the way back from there, the accused editor attempted to have unwanted physical intimacy with her.

In addition, the complaint states that the editor took her to another location (‘Dream Holiday’), made immoral proposals to her, and attempted to rape her.

The victim claims that the accused editor, under the guise of office work or under various pretexts, would take her to various places and try to obtain immoral benefits.

Not only in person, but also through social media and personal phone calls, she was repeatedly harassed. Sexually suggestive and uncomfortable messages were sent over chats and phone calls, and attempts were made to engage in various offensive discussions about her personal and sexual life.

In the complaint, the victim stated that after the editor repeatedly rejected her immoral proposals and protested against these objectionable behaviors, she was subjected to retaliatory administrative pressure. She was not only mentally tortured, but also professionally marginalized.

He was later unfairly dismissed from his job as a result of this, although his professional skills were never questioned before the incident.

“The two special reports she wrote while working for the organization were selected as ‘Best Reports’ and she was also awarded. As a result, her dismissal was not due to any professional failure, but rather a retaliatory measure for not compromising,” the female journalist claimed.

In his appeal to the organizations, the journalist said that he expects justice in the organization and in the journalist community. If he does not get proper justice at the professional and organizational levels, he plans to go on a strict program with his colleagues, including a human chain on the streets. He also said that he will seek the Prime Minister’s intervention in the matter if necessary.

The complaining journalist also claimed that he has in his custody audio recordings of his phone conversations with the accused editor and relevant evidence and documents of sending offensive messages on social media.

The woman stated in her complaint that this evidence will be made public if necessary for the judicial process or at an appropriate time.

However, no official statement or statement has been issued by the organization on this matter yet.