The High Court on Thursday granted bail to prominent photographer Shahidul Alam in a case filed under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act for spreading ‘propaganda through his Facebook account’ during the student movement demanding safe roads.
The High Court bench of Justice Sheikh Abdul Awal and Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty passed the order after hearing on a rule.Barrister Sara Hossain and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua stood for Shahidul Alam. Sara Hossain said the court granted Shahidul Alam bail considering his physical condition.
Earlier on October 7, the High Court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain within seven days as to why Shahidul Alam, also Drik Gallery managing director and founder of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, should not be granted bail in the case.On September 11, Judge KM Imrul Kayes of Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge’s Court denied bail to Shahidul in the case.
Shahidul Alam filed a bail petition with the HC on August 28 through his lawyers — Sara Hossain and Jyotirmoy Barua — saying that he might be granted bail as he was ill.On September 4, a judge of a two-member High Court bench felt ‘embarrassed’ to hear the bail petition in the case.On the same day, the HC bench forwarded the petition to the Chief Justice for a decision.
On September 5, the HC directed the authorities concerned to provide first-class division to photographer Shahidul in jail after hearing of the writ petition.Detectives arrested Shahidul Alam from his Dhanmondi residence on August 5 and the case was filed against him with Ramna Police Station on August 6.
source: UNB
