A tribunal on Monday formally charged Baul Rita Dewan and two others with blasphemy for denouncing Allah in Pala (Folk) songs.
Bangladesh Cyber Tribunal judge Mohammad Ash Sams Joglul Hossain passed the order and set November 27 to record testimonies of the witnesses in this case.
The other two accused in this case are Shajahan and Ikbal.
On February 2 in 2020, Md Imrul Hasan, a member of Dhaka Lawyers’ Association filed a case under Digital Security Act with the tribunal against Rita Dewan for hurting religious sentiments through Pala songs by making derogatory comments on Allah.
On October 29 that year, the Investigation Officer in the case Inspector of Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI)submitted a charge sheet finding Rita and two others guilty.
According to the case statement, Rita made derogatory comments on Allah while attacking her opponent at a music programme at Dholartengor village in Kalihati upazila of Tangail that went viral on social media.
The plaintiff stated the singer has intentionally, consciously and loudly made those comments to hurt religious sentiments and destroy religious beliefs which had hurt the sentiment of the plaintiff and others.