journalist Elias. Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Aug 27, 2025 (BSS) - A court here today acquitted journalist Elias Hossain of all charges in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA) by former Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Chief Banaj Kumar Mazumder.

Judge Nure Alam of the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal passed the order, citing that the charges against Elias were not proven.

Confirming the development to BSS, court official Mohammad Jewel Miah said the day was fixed for recording witness depositions, but none appeared, prompting the prosecution to seek more time. The court then declared the testimony phase closed and gave Elias a clean chit.

The case was filed on September 27, 2022, with Dhanmondi Police Station by Banaj Kumar Mazumder. On April 9, 2023, police submitted a charge-sheet against four individuals-- Elias, former SP Babul Akter, his father Md Abdul Wadud and brother Habibur Rahman Labu.

On July 25, 2023, the court took cognizance of the charge-sheet and exempted Babul and his father from the charges. On January 18, 2024, Labu was also exempted, leaving Elias as the sole accused.

A total of 13 witnesses had testified in the case.