SC upholds HC stay on probe into Shahidul’s case

The Supreme Court today upheld a High Court order that stayed 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 Appellate Division of the SC 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 Alam.

Earlier on March 14, a HC bench stayed the investigation into the case filed against Shahidul Alam under the Section 57 of the ICT Act.

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

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

On August 5 last year, Shahidul, also the 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, HC granted bail to Shahidul, and he was released from Dhaka jail on November 20.