Internationally acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam on Sunday filed a writ petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of the case filed against him for “spreading disinformation.”
He languished in jail without bail in the case, filed under the section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act, for 107 days. The ICT Act was replaced by a new law called the Digital Security Act later last year.
Shahidul, also the founder of Drik Gallery and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, was picked up on August 5 last year from his Dhanmondi residence in Dhaka during a major student demonstration for road safety. He was produced before a Dhaka court the following day, and placed on a seven-day remand.
Multiple media outlets reported quoting Shahidul’s lawyer Barrister Sara Hossain that Shahidul asked the court in his petition to halt the proceedings of the case, saying the case violated his fundamental rights and is an example of abusing the relevant process of law.
A High Court division bench may hold a hearing on the petition next week, according to Sara Hossain.
Police charged him with “spreading propaganda and false information against the government.”
His arrest and imprisonment sparked outrage and condemnation at home and abroad.
The noted photographer obtained permanent bail from the High Court on November 15 last year.
He was released from Dhaka Central Jail on November 20.
