Digital Portal Worker Dilwar Hussain Mazumder Re-Arrested in Second Case Amid ST Atrocity Allegations

Guwahati, March 28: Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday clarified that the arrest of Dilwar Hussain Mazumder, associated with a digital news portal, was unrelated to his professional work and stemmed from allegations of misconduct involving a Scheduled Tribe (ST) individual and a financial institution.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said police investigations revealed that Mazumder had allegedly abused Sishupal Boro, a tribal security guard at the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank in Guwahati, and demanded a loan from the bank. Boro’s statement was recorded in court on Thursday.

Dr. Sarma further revealed that Mazumder, who reportedly owns four to five dumpers and runs multiple businesses, is not a full-time journalist but a businessman working part-time for a digital portal allegedly owned by a politician. He reiterated that the state government does not officially recognise portal workers as journalists, nor have any ID cards been issued to them. Discussions are ongoing with media representatives regarding the formal recognition of digital media professionals.

Following his bail on March 26 in the first case (Case No. 110/25) under Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, Mazumder was re-arrested in connection with a second FIR (Case No. 111/25) filed by the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank at Panbazar Police Station. The new charges fall under Sections 329, 324(4), 351(2), 309(4), and 115 of the BNS.

The unfolding legal developments have triggered debates over the status of digital journalists and the accountability of individuals associated with politically linked media entities.