HC stays probe into case against Shahidul

The High Court on Thursday stayed for three months the investigation into the case filed against renowned photographer Shahidul Alam under the Information and Technology (ICT) Act, reports UNB.

A bench of justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed the order.

The court also issued a rule seeking explanation from the authorities concerned as to why the investigation into the case should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

Earlier on Wednesday, the HC sought the records of the case.

Lawyer AF Hasan Arif and Sara Hossain stood for Shahidul while attorney general Mahbubey Alam and deputy attorney general Mokhlesur Rahman represented the state.

Earlier on 4 March, Shahidul Alam filed a writ petition with the HC challenging the legality of the case and sought a stay on trial proceedings of the case.

In the petition, Shahidul said that the case was meant to harass him and it violated the photographer's basic rights. Besides, he claimed the case contains legal errors.

Acclaimed photographer Shahidul, 63, was picked up from his Dhanmondi residence by detectives on 5 August last year.

A case was filed against him with Ramna police station the next day for 'spreading propaganda' through Facebook during the student movement seeking safer roads.

The High Court granted him bail on 15 November and he was released from jail on 20 November last.