Case against Shahidul: SC upholds stay on probe

The Supreme Court yesterday upheld a High Court order that stayed the investigation of the case filed under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act against renowned photographer Shahidul Alam. 

The apex court also asked the HC bench, led by Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, to hear and dispose of the HC rule by December 18. 

A four-member bench of the SC's Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order after hearing a leave-to-appeal petition filed by the state challenging the HC order. 

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam appeared for the state while Advocate AF Hasan Ariff, Advocate Syeda Rizwana Hasan, and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua appeared for Shahidul. 

Earlier on March 14, a HC bench stayed the investigation into the case. 

The HC bench also issued a rule asking the government why the continuation of probing into the case should not be declared illegal and contradictory to the Digital Security Act-2018 in the constitution. 

On March 3, Shahidul filed a writ petition challenging the legality of the case in which he was imprisoned for 107 days.

On August 5 last year, Shahidul, also founder of Drik Gallery and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, was picked up from his Dhanmondi home during a widespread demonstration for safe roads.

Police lodged the case against the 63-year-old under Section 57 of the ICT Act and produced him before a Dhaka court the following day.

On November 15 last year, the HC granted bail to Shahidul and he was released from Dhaka jail on November 20.