A journalist in Shariatpur has been named as an accused in an extortion case filed after an attack on Sujit Karmakar, head teacher of Damudya Pilot Girls High School. The case, lodged on Monday at the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Damudya, lists eight named and several unnamed suspects. Among them is Miraj Sikdar, a local reporter for Star News, who claims he was only filming the incident as part of his professional duty.

Eyewitnesses and local discussions suggest that Sikdar was present with other journalists during the attack and was not seen participating in it. Sikdar said he had previously reported on alleged irregularities involving the teacher and believes he was targeted out of personal animosity. Local journalists, including the Shariatpur Press Club’s general secretary, expressed concern that implicating a journalist for doing his job threatens press freedom.

The complainant, however, accused Sikdar of masterminding the attack. Police said they have yet to receive the case documents and will review the allegations once they arrive. The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media about press safety and impartial investigation.