Shahidul Alam challenges the legality of case against him

Noted photographer Shahidul Alam has filed a writ petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of the case in which he suffered in jail for 107 days.

In the petition submitted on Sunday, Shahidul appealed for staying the proceedings of the case filed against him under the controversial section 57 of the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Act.

The petition said that the case was filed against him “in violation of his fundamental rights and by abusing of the process”, his lawyer Sara Hossain texted The Daily Star yesterday.

Without elaboration, she said there were procedural errors in filing of the case.

The HC may hear the petition next week, the lawyer added.

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.

The arrest was made after Shahidul, also a social activist, gave an interview to Al Jazeera English where he criticised the government's role amid the protests.

Shahidul was then placed on a seven-day remand. Police charged him with “spreading propaganda and false information against the government”.

His arrest and imprisonment sparked outrage and condemnation at home and abroad.

Shahidul obtained permanent bail from the HC on November 15. He was released from Dhaka Central Jail on November 20.