‘False, ridiculous’: Channel i says TV presenter Brownia might’ve sued directors over ‘personal anger’

The extortion case filed against five directors of Channel i by its former employee Farzana Brownia is "full of false allegations", the TV channel has said.

In a statement published on its website today (25 September), Channel i also said TV presenter Brownia might have filed the case to "defame or harass" the accused, or with any "special purpose".

In the case filed with the court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Brownia accused five Channel i directors, including Shykh Seraj, of fraud and extortion.

The four other accused are Zahir Uddin Mahmud Mamun, Mukit Majumdar Babu, Abdur Rashid Majumdar Parvez, and Riaz Ahmed Khan.

Brownia alleged that she was dismissed from Channel i without a formal notice following a dispute with authorities concerned after she expressed support to students involved in the 2018 quota reform movement.

She also claimed Channel i owes her Tk79 lakh in unpaid wages, covering the period from October 2018 to September 2024.

Despite sending a legal notice through her lawyer, the accused did not respond and instead allegedly threatened her, demanding Tk50 crore as extortion, she also alleged.

However, refuting the allegations, Channel i said the allegations of extortion and not paying her dues are "ridiculous and full of lies". 

"The inappropriate language used in the case statement is very saddening," the TV channel said.

It also said, "Farzana Rashid Brownia was not employed on a permanent post at Channel i. She was given the responsibility of directing a programme called Swarna Kishori which used to air on the channel and was paid accordingly. In November 2018, the Swarna Kishori programme was cancelled according to the decision of the authorities. Hence, the issue of Channel i owing money to Farzana Rashid Brownia is incoherent."

The TV channel also said they were also unaware of the claims made by Farzana regarding the alleged unpaid dues made during the period from 2018 till present.

"It appears that this case has been filed mainly to hide her various affiliations. Channel i authorities believe that this case may have been filed against the 5 directors to harass, defame them over personal anger or with any other special purpose. The five directors have nothing to do with the allegations in the case."

Channel i announce that they will fight the case legally.