HC defers Shahidul Alam’s bail plea hearing
The High Court has deferred till tomorrow the hearing on a petition filed by internationally-acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam seeking bail in a case lodged against him under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act.
The bench of Justice Md Ruhul Quddus and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman was scheduled to hold hearing on the bail petition today.
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But the judges deferred the date for hearing following a time prayer moved by Attorney General Mahbubey Alam.
The attorney general sought time from the bench, saying that he will place arguments before the court on the bail petition of Shahidul and therefore, he needs time for taking preparation.
Barrister Sara Hossain appeared for Shahidul Alam.
Shahidul Alam filed the bail petition with the HC on August 28 through his lawyers -- Barrister Sara Hossain and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, saying that he may be granted bail as he is physically ill.
The noted photographer also said in the petition that he will face the trial proceedings and will not leave the country if he is granted bail in the case.
Shahidul Alam, 63, was sent behind bars on charges of “spreading propaganda and false information against the government” in a case filed under the controversial Section 57 of the ICT Act.
He was picked up by law enforcers on the night of August 5 from his home in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area.
The following day, he was placed on a seven-day remand after police had produced him before a Dhaka court seeking a 10-day remand. He told the court that he was tortured in custody, but police denied the allegation.
Upon completion of his remand, he was sent to jail on August 13.
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