Dhaka, Oct 7 (Just News): The High Court today issued a rule asking the government to explain in a week why internationally acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam should not be granted bail in a case filed against him under section 57 of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act.
The HC bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman came up with the rule after hearing a petition filed by Shahidul seeking bail in the case.
Shahidul cannot get released from jail following the rule issued by the HC as the court did not grant him bail, said Deputy Attorney General Dr Md Bashir Ullah.
He also said the HC will decide after hearing the rule whether Shahidul will get bail in the case lodged for “spreading propaganda and false information against the government”.
Shahidul, 63, who is now in Dhaka Central Jail, submitted the bail petition to the HC through his lawyers on September 18, saying that he is ill and he would not leave the country if he is granted bail in the case.
In the petition, he also said the section 57 of the ICT Act does not cover the allegations brought against him in the case.
Earlier on September 10, Shahidul’s lawyers moved another petition before the HC for his bail in the case filed by the police with Ramna Police Station on August 6.
After hearing the bail petition, the HC bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman same day (September 10) directed the lower court concerned to dispose of by September 11 the bail application filed by Shahidul in the case.
On September 11, a Dhaka court rejected his bail application in the same case.
The renowned photographer was picked up by plainclothes men from his home in the capital's Dhanmondi on August 5.
Police filed the case against him and produced him before a Dhaka court the following day. He was then placed on a seven-day remand.
In court, Shahidul said he was tortured in custody. Police denied the allegation.
On completion of his seven-day remand, Shahidul was denied bail and sent to jail by a Dhaka court on August 13.
Many notable personalities, including Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and 11 other Nobel prize winners have called for immediate release of Shahidul.
Barrister Sara Hossain, Advocate Dr Shahdeen Malik and Barrister JyotirmoyBarua appeared for Shahidul, while Attorney General MahbubeyAlam opposed the bail petition.
(Justnews/ys/2110hr)
