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Journalism of Courage
We had refused a blank cheque offered to us by Ashok Todi in return for ending the marriage between Rizwanur and Priyanka. How can we be bought off for so little—Rs 6 lakhs? How can we work against the family’s interest?” asked Rukbanur Rehman, brother of Rizwanur Rehman, at a press conference called on Thursday in the wake of allegations that some family members were bought off by the Todis.
Meanwhile, S M Mohiuddin alias Pappu, a family friend of Rizwanur who was suspected to have had a “money deal” with the Todis, faced the wrath of Tiljala residents, who organised a demonstration in front of his house and asked him to leave the locality. CBI sources had indicated on Wednesday that two persons close to the family had passed on information to the Todis about the couple and also helped separate the two.
Rukbanur said, “This is an attempt to divert the attention from the case as well as to malign the family…This is a conspiracy not only against our family but also against our movement for justice. A section of the media has now become part of the conspiracy. Their prime target is me and my uncles, who are innocent,” he said. All five uncles, who were at the meeting, refused to having received any payment.
Pappu, who has shifted out of his neighbourhood after the protests, said: “This is an absurd allegation. I have an old relation with Rizwanur’s family. Rukbanur was associated with my NGO as a computer teacher. The allegations are baseless.”
The family said though they trust the CBI, they will move court if the agency leaks more information to the Press. “The Calcutta High Court has directed that the CBI should give a report regarding Rizwanur’s death in total secrecy,” added Rukbanur.
