Audio clip of Kurigram DC, journo Ariful goes viral

An audio clip has gone viral on social media where deputy commissioner of Kurigram, who was withdrawn for ordering the arrest and sentencing of journalist Ariful Islam Rigan, was heard to console the victim.

Ariful, who was jailed through a mobile court after brutal torture on Friday midnight, said the audio was recorded when then DC Sultana Parvin talked to him over a stranger's phone after he was released on bail on Sunday.

"How're you Rigan? Now avoid media. Let's see what happens. You need not to be worried about future security. We'll be with you and will withdraw the case. Give me some time to handle the issue positively," Sultana was heard saying in the clip.

A mobile court on Friday midnight sentenced Rigan, Kurigram district correspondent of online news portal Bangla Tribune, to one-year imprisonment and fined him Tk 50,000 for possession of 'liquor and hemp'.

As the incident drew huge criticism across the country, he was granted bail on Sunday.

Besides, Deputy Commissioner Sultana Parvin and three magistrates concerned - Senior Assistant Commissioner Nazim Uddin, Assistant Commissioners Rintu Bikash Chakma and SM Rahatul Islam -- were withdrawn.

Rigan said DC Sultana contacted him over a stranger's mobile phone after he was released from the jail.

"I asked her to have a face-to-face conversation but she didn't respond to it. She assured me of withdrawing the case and asked me to keep silent," said Rigan.

When he told her to return the documents what he signed, DC Sultana agreed to hand over those documents.

Asked about the authorities' treatment to him, she was quoted as saying, "We didn't have the intention to make you face encounter. Currently, I'm tensed about my future. But there's nothing to worry about your future. You'll be fine Insha Allah. I'll get the case withdrawn. Besides, I'll take care of the issue of your job. Don't be tensed in this regard."