Bangladeshi politician Sarjis Alam receives a legal notice via WhatsApp for a Facebook post allegedly showing contempt for the High Court after an election ruling.
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| Supreme Court lawyer uses tech tools, including WhatsApp, to serve Sarjis Alam a legal notice for alleged contempt of court via a Facebook post. Image: CH |
DHAKA, Bangladesh — May 24, 2025:
In a striking example of digital tools reshaping legal processes, Bangladeshi politician Sarjis Alam has been served a legal notice via WhatsApp for allegedly making contemptuous remarks about the High Court on Facebook. The move underscores the growing intersection of technology and legal accountability in South Asia.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Jasim Uddin issued the notice on Saturday after Sarjis allegedly criticized the judiciary in a Facebook post. The post followed the High Court’s dismissal of a writ petition challenging the mayoral status of Ishraque Hossain in the Dhaka South City Corporation election. The original petition, filed by lawyer Mamunur Rashid, contested the Election Tribunal’s ruling and the Election Commission’s official gazette.
The legal notice demands that the Supreme Court Registrar General issue an unconditional written apology to the Chief Justice and hold a press conference apologizing to the public within two hours. Failure to do so, the lawyer warns, will result in a formal contempt of court case.
Highlighting the integration of communication platforms into judicial proceedings, Uddin confirmed that the notice was not only sent through traditional channels but also delivered to Sarjis Alam’s WhatsApp account. This reflects an evolving legal landscape in which digital messaging apps are increasingly utilized for official and time-sensitive correspondence.
Speaking to media, Jasim Uddin stated that the Facebook post “disrespected the judiciary,” calling it a “direct threat to democratic governance” by undermining a key institution of state authority. The post has since been cited by several local media outlets, adding fuel to the controversy.
This incident comes at a time of heightened sensitivity in Bangladesh over the use of social media to comment on or criticize judicial rulings. The case highlights how platforms like Meta (Facebook) and WhatsApp—popular for both personal and political communication—are becoming focal points for legal action.
As digital communication becomes increasingly integrated into formal procedures, legal experts in Bangladesh are closely watching the implications of this case. It could set a precedent for how contempt laws and online speech intersect in the age of instant messaging and social media influence.