Two journalists from Somoy Television, Mohammad Rasheduzzaman (known as Rashed Bappi) and Nubaiya Tajrin (also known as Tajrin Rika), who were assigned to cover the United Nations General Assembly in New York, have reportedly not returned to Bangladesh. The married couple allegedly halted their journalistic duties during the assignment, opting instead to explore ways to extend their stay in the United States.

Originally scheduled to return to Dhaka on October 11, the journalist couple have continued their stay in the United States, prompting questions within Somoy Television about the conditions under which they were granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the trip. Confidential sources within the organization indicated that NOCs are typically granted with clear conditions, making the couple’s case unusual. The fact that Rika works on Somoy’s entertainment desk has added to the intrigue, as her role did not directly align with the UN coverage assignment.

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Bangladesh Media Monitor sought clarification from Somoy Television’s Chairman, Morshedul Islam, regarding the NOC issuance process and the possibility of financial transactions involved. While confirming that Bappi and Rika were indeed issued NOCs, Islam denied any monetary exchange related to their approvals.
When questioned about the rationale for sending an entertainment journalist on such an assignment, as well as the authorization for the spouse’s travel, Islam refrained from providing detailed answers, stating only that it was an “internal matter” for Somoy Television.

Input Head Omar Faruq noted that Somoy Television had been managing various operational challenges since August, a situation the couple may have exploited. “They did not disclose any intentions of staying in the U.S., nor did they follow proper leave protocols,” Faruq remarked, adding that his department had been unaware of the NOC issuance, which was likely handled by HR-Admin.

While Faruq has attempted to contact the couple and encourage their return, he reported receiving no response. Other Somoy officials believe that either HR-Admin or upper management would have processed the couple’s NOCs. Attempts to reach the HR-Admin team for additional context were unsuccessful, and Rashed Bappi also did not respond to inquiries.

Unverified reports from Somoy Television sources suggest that former colleagues may be assisting Bappi and Rika in obtaining a path to remain in the U.S. without proper authorization. The incident has sparked a broader debate on the oversight of personnel sent on international assignments, highlighting potential gaps in organizational policies and protocols at Somoy Television.