Witness 3: Md. Imdadul Haque Molla
Testimony of Md. Imdadul Haque Molla
My name is Md. Imdadul Haque Molla. My father’s name is [redacted] and my mother’s name is [redacted]. I am 53 years old. My address is [redacted] Narayanganj.
I am an internet service provider by profession. I am a Director of Optimax Communication Limited. I also served as the President of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) until May 2023–24.
On 18 July 2024, a fire broke out at the Disaster Management Building in Mahakhali. On that day, internet service was disrupted in some areas from around 4:00 PM. From approximately 9:00 PM, internet service was shut down across the country. In the internet service delivery chain, we operate at the last level. Above us there are two additional levels: IIG (International Internet Gateway), Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company, and ITC (International Terrestrial Cable). IIGs purchase bandwidth from the government-owned Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company and from ITCs.
When we contacted the IIGs regarding the internet shutdown, they informed us that the supply of bandwidth from the ITCs had been discontinued. From this, we understood that the internet service had been shut down pursuant to a government decision.
On 23 July 2024, the then State Minister for ICT, Junayed Ahmed Palak, visited the Disaster Management Building in Mahakhali. As the President of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh, I, along with many others, was present there. We requested the Honourable State Minister to restore internet service. He stated that internet service would be restored within that day.
Thereafter, he addressed all those present and stated that the internet service had been shut down because a fire had occurred at the data center. This statement appeared to us to be a political statement, because the fire had occurred in the Disaster Management Building, not in the data center. However, due to the fire, some fiber optic transmission cables outside the building were damaged. Even if that particular data center had become non-operational, it should not have caused disruption to internet service across the entire country, because there are approximately 15 to 16 data centers nationwide.On that day, at approximately 9:00 PM, internet service was restored.
The Investigating Officer examined me.
This is my statement.
Cross-examination on behalf of Junayed Ahmed Palak
Defence: On what date did the Investigating Officer examine you?
PW: I do not exactly remember on what date the Investigating Officer examined me. However, he examined me at the Investigation Agency office in Dhanmondi.
Defence: When did you receive the notice?
PW: The Investigating Officer served the notice one week before my examination.
Defence: Did you make any statement to the media regarding the fire that broke out at the Disaster Management Building in Mohakhali on 8 July?
PW: Before giving my statement to the Investigating Officer regarding the fire at the Disaster Management Building in Mahakhali on 18 July, I made statements to print and electronic media.
Defence: Do you remember whether one of your statements was published in the newspaper Prothom Alo?
PW: I do not remember whether one of my statements was published in Prothom Alo on 19 July.
Defence: Did you state that broadband service was disrupted due to the fire in the infrastructure and the resulting power outage?
PW: I do not remember whether I stated that broadband service was disrupted due to the fire in the infrastructure and the resulting power outage.
Defence: You gave interviews to Jamuna Television on 21 July 2024 and Somoy TV on 22 July 2024.
In Somoy TV on 21 July 2024, you stated: “Since our transmission networks across the country have been damaged, even after receiving bandwidth from the IIGs, it may take us two to three days to fully restore them.” In Jamuna TV on 22 July 2024, you stated: “Because this server has been affected, we are not receiving bandwidth. We, the ISPs, who obtain bandwidth from the IIGs, are not getting the bandwidth. As a result, around 30–40% of our customers in Bangladesh are disconnected from the internet or are receiving slow speeds. We are trying to shift from one data center to another. If we can make this building workable by tomorrow, then…” You also stated that at that time you had not yet been able to inspect the Disaster Management Building and that you made your statements based on information provided by the government.” On 21 and 22 July 2024, you made the above statements while standing in front of the Disaster Management Building.
PW: It is not true that I made the above statements while standing in front of the Disaster Management Building on 21 and 22 July 2024. I gave the Somoy TV interview in the Tejgaon area.
Defence: I wish to play the video.
Tribunal: If the piece of evidence is necessary, you may recall the witness.
Defence: You made the statements exactly as quoted.
PW: It is not true that I made the statements exactly as quoted.
Defence: Who were the Chairman and Managing Director of Optimax Communication Limited?
PW: The Chairman and Managing Director of Optimax Communication Limited were Shirin Shila and Iqbal Bahar Zahid.
Defence: When did you join that company?
PW: I joined the company in 2003 as Deputy Director (Technical).
Defence: What are your educational qualifications?
PW: I obtained an MBA from Asian University of Bangladesh and a diploma in Computer Science from Singapore Genetic Computer School, Singapore, under Manchester Metropolitan University.
Defence: During which period did you study at Singapore Genetic Computer School?
PW: I studied there during 1994–1995.
Defence: When was the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) established?
PW: ISPAB was established in 1999.
Defence: ISPAB was established in 1997.
PW: I do not remember whether ISPAB was established in 1997. However, I have been associated with the organization since 1999.
Defence: Do you know that a fire broke out at the data center in Khaja Tower on 27 October 2023?
PW: Yes, I know that a fire broke out at the data center in Khaja Tower on 27 October 2023.
At that time, internet service was disrupted for several days.
Defence: At that time, Junayed Ahmed Palak was not the State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications.
PW: Yes. At that time, Palak was not the State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications.
Defence: What was the condition of the Disaster Management Building when Junayed Ahmed Palak visited it on 23 July 2024?
PW: When Junayed Ahmed Palak visited the Disaster Management Building on 23 July 2024, I saw that the building had been burned.
Defence: Did you see that it had been burned?
PW: I saw that the overhead cables had been burned. I also saw that the Disaster Management server was in a burned condition.
Defence: Did you know that the fire in the Disaster Management Building also spread to the data center and damaged its ground floor?
PW: I do not know whether the fire spread to the data center and damaged its ground floor.
Defence: Do you know that local residents cut some of the cables?
PW: Because the fire was spreading to nearby areas, local residents cut some of the cables.
Defence: The protesters cut those cables.
PW: It is not true that the protesters cut those cables.
Defence: On 18 July 2024, you informed the Chairman of BTRC that the data center had been burned.
PW: It is not true that on 18 July 2024 I informed the Chairman of BTRC that the data center had been burned.
Defence: Do you know whether internet service remained operational at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from 18 July to 23 July 2024?
PW: I do not know whether internet service remained operational at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport during that period.
Defence: Due to the burning of the Disaster Management server and the cutting of cables, internet service was partially slowed down.
PW: I do not know whether internet service was partially slowed down due to the burning of the Disaster Management server and the cutting of cables.
Defence: Denying the statements you made to Somoy TV and Jamuna TV, you have given false evidence under the advice of the Investigating Officer.
PW: It is not true that, denying the statements I made to Somoy TV and Jamuna TV, I gave false evidence under the advice of the Investigating Officer.
Defence: How many entities constitute the ITC system?
PW: ITC consists of five entities, one of which is government-owned and the remaining four are privately owned.
Defence: What type of institutions are the IIGs?
PW: Even if the submarine cable landing station remains operational, internet service cannot be provided unless the IIGs are also operational. There are 35 IIG entities, one government-owned and 34 privately owned.
Cross-examination on behalf of the absconding accused Sajeeb Ahmed Wajed Joy .
Defence: In which areas does Optimax provide services?
PW: Throughout the country.
Defence: In which places was your internet service disrupted from 18 July to 23 July 2024?
PW: From 18 July to 23 July 2024, we were unable to provide internet service anywhere in the country.
Defence: As President, did you submit any written application to BTRC to restore internet service during 18–23 July?
PW: I do not remember whether I submitted a written application to BTRC during that period, but I informed them verbally.
Defence: Did you call any meeting?
PW: Because curfew was in force at that time, no meeting of the association was called.