Shahidul's bail hearing unlikely today

The bail petition of internationally-acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam has been included in today's High Court cause list.

It has been listed as item No 355 in the cause list of the HC bench of Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman.

However, the hearing of the petition may not be held today as it is not possible for the bench to reach item No 355 if the judges hear other items serially, Advocate Dr Shahdeen Malik said.

This is Shahidul Alam's second plea moved before the HC seeking bail in the same case.

Shahidul submitted the petition to the HC on September 18 seeking bail in a case filed under section 57 of ICT Act for “spreading propaganda against the government”.

In the petition, he said the allegations brought against him do not fall under section 57.

Earlier on September 10, his lawyers moved another petition for bail in the case filed with Ramna Police Station.

After hearing the appeal, HC directed the lower court concerned to dispose of the bail application by September 11. The lower court rejected the petition on the same day.

Shahidul was picked up from his residence on August 5. A  case was lodged against him and he was produced before a Dhaka court the following day. He was then placed on a seven-day remand.

On completion of his remand, Shahidul was denied bail and sent to jail by a Dhaka court on August 13.