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Published : 20 Nov 2025, 02:57 AM
The overnight detention of a journalist involved in event management has brought a new dimension to the ongoing cold battle between two factions of Bangladesh’s mobile handset business over registration.
Bhorer Kagoj Head of Online Mizanur Rahman Sohel was whisked away from his home for hours by detectives after Tuesday midnight.
In protest, grey market mobile traders across the country kept their shops closed for most of Wednesday.
At a press briefing held at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, they levelled sharp criticism at Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, the chief advisor’s special assistant on ICT matters.
Taiyeb, however, denied any involvement in the journalist’s detention and questioned the connections between the detained journalist and the traders of “illegal mobile” phones.
The precise role of the Detective Branch (DB) in the confrontation between grey market dealers and mobile manufacturers remained unclear during the late-night drama. Officers have admitted, however, that Sohel’s arrest was a mistake.
The conflict in this sector intensified following the government’s announcement that mobile handset registration would become mandatory from Dec 16.
At present, a large proportion of handsets in Bangladesh are imported illegally, avoiding taxes, accounting for roughly 60 percent of all devices, according to the BTRC. This unregulated trade is commonly referred to as the “grey market”.
The government, working alongside domestic handset manufacturers, aims to implement the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR), led by Taiyeb.
Long-standing grey market traders, who import phones through illicit channels, have opposed the decision through different formal and informal measures.
As part of this resistance, the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) called a media briefing at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Wednesday, coordinated by Sohel.
DB officers from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police detained Sohel from his residence in Badda around 12:30am on Wednesday. He was released at dawn.
Initially reported in the media as a journalist being taken away under DB authority, the incident sparked criticism of the unit and accusations of media intimidation.
Sohel claimed he had been acting as the MBCB’s media consultant and alleged that the DB detained him under the influence of Taiyeb to disrupt the briefing.
This is not Sohel’s first brush with law enforcement; he was previously detained in October 2021 over allegations involving online travel agency 24tkt.com, accused of defrauding customers of millions of taka.
Despite no warrant, the DB has provided no clear explanation for why he was detained this time or whether any external influence was involved.
ORIGIN OF DISPUTE
Since the introduction of SIM card registration in 2016, successive government attempts to implement handset registration failed.
Stakeholders say, for over a decade, no effective government effort existed to regulate the growing grey market, now worth billions of taka.
Supported by domestic handset producers, the BTRC announced on Oct 29 that NEIR would take effect on Dec 16. Until then, all devices connected to the national network will be automatically registered; post-implementation, only legally imported phones will function.
During the press briefing, BTRC Chairman Emdad ul Bari called illegal traders “thieves” and said, “You cannot make laws in negotiation with thieves.”
Yet, three days later, the BTRC met with grey market representatives to discuss their concerns.
Since the briefing, grey market traders have actively engaged in formal and informal negotiations with the BTRC, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and other government bodies, seeking reduced import duties and legalisation of previously illicit handsets.
‘A MISUNDERSTANDING’
Grey market traders, unsatisfied with the BTRC’s initiative, continued lobbying on their own terms.
As part of this effort, on Wednesday they organised a press conference under the banner of the MBCB to voice their demands.
The invitation for the briefing listed the organisation’s President Mohammad Aslam, but included Sohel’s phone number beneath the name.
Using this, DB officers located Sohel at his home in Badda around 12:30am and briefly took him into custody.
Later, MBCB Secretary Abu Saeed Pias was also detained after his phone number was used. Both were released within hours.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Alam described the incident as a “misunderstanding”.
He told bdnews24.com, “Sohel had taken responsibility for event management, but he used the president and secretary’s names without permission.
“Later we summoned the organisation’s secretary. Once the misunderstanding was clarified, Sohel was released at dawn.”
Pias was also released later in the evening. DB chief noted that responsibility for the press conference had been assigned to Sohel.
Pias, during questioning, reportedly said he had not reviewed the English-language invitation and was unaware of its content.
WAS BRIEFING THE REASON FOR RAID?
After his release, Sohel posted on Facebook around 11am on Wednesday, describing the ordeal.
He claimed the detention was intended to “prevent” the MBCB press conference, as he was serving as the organisation’s “media consultant”.
Sohel wrote: “Why I was detained, I do not know, and neither could those who picked me up nor the DB senior officers explain. Over time, I understood that on the direction of a government advisor, I was detained to give monopoly business opportunities to just nine mobile phone traders.
“Alongside me, MBCB Secretary Abu Saeed Pias was also detained.”
Highlighting the press conference, he added: “Stopping the briefing was their main objective. But unfortunately for them, the purpose they sought to prevent has now become known to the entire country.”
He also criticised the NEIR, saying it “clearly conflicts” with Bangladesh’s free trade principles.
“The Competition Commission exists to ensure fair competition. Yet a deep conspiracy is under way to benefit only nine traders while putting 25,000 mobile phone traders across the country at risk.
“If implemented, this project will endanger ordinary villagers and expatriates. Entire business chains will collapse. One of the nine traders is a school friend of the advisor,” he added.
Sohel questioned the interim government’s approach.
“Why is the government afraid to speak against a business syndicate? Was it necessary to forcibly detain me in the middle of the night just to stop a press conference? Those who talk about freedom of speech -- did they really silence me to protect that principle? Is this the true state of freedom of expression in practice?”
TAIYEB RAISES QUESTIONS
Taiyeb questioned why Sohel’s number appeared on the invitation.
In a Facebook post, he wrote: “[On Tuesday], journalists received an invitation for a press conference titled ‘Addressing Regarding NEIR Implementation’. Someone claiming to be Mohammad Aslam presented himself as president of a so-called Mobile Business Community Bangladesh.
“But this organisation is not registered with the Ministry of Commerce. It is clear that an illegal importer group created a fake organisation to campaign against NEIR. The phone number listed under Aslam’s name actually belongs to the journalist, Mizanur Sohel, who sent the invitation to journalists himself.”
Taiyeb asked, “How can a journalist use a false title and identity, and act as a spokesperson, PR agent or beneficiary for a smuggling group?
“It is not journalism ethics. Anyone involved in illegal activity, regardless of profession, can be questioned by law enforcement. Such action is most appropriate during the day, in a transparent manner, to ensure certainty for everyone,” he added.
MBCB PRESS CONFERENCE
Despite Sohel and Pias being absent, the MBCB leaders held a press briefing at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Wednesday afternoon.
Senior Vice-President Shamim Molla accused Taiyeb of being responsible for their detention.
“Last night at 3:03am, our general secretary Pias was arrested. We understand the reasons and know why the president’s residence was raided,” he said.
Shamim warned the government of stricter protests if the NEIR implementation does not consider the concerns of grey market traders. “Why should the fate of 200 million mobile users be handed to just 18 licensed traders?” he said.
Addressing Taiyeb directly, he added: “If you are involved in such activities, step aside with dignity. Do not manipulate policies to increase profits for a syndicate.”
The government maintains that NEIR will reduce mobile theft, curb handset-related crime, generate revenue from duties, and strengthen domestic mobile production.
Grey market traders, however, argue the policy threatens livelihoods and the jobs of thousands of employees.
In protest of Pias’ detention, grey market traders demonstrated outside the DB office on Minto Road on Wednesday afternoon.
