Writ filed against HC order to admit Shahidul to hospital

Detective Branch of police produces Shahidul Alam, who was picked up by plainclothes men earlier, before a Dhaka court Monday. Photo: Shuvra Kanti Das
Detective Branch of police produces Shahidul Alam, who was picked up by plainclothes men earlier, before a Dhaka court Monday. Photo: Shuvra Kanti Das

The government filed a writ petition with the Appellate Division seeking stay on the High Court order that asked the authorities concerned to admit Shahidul Alam, now on a 7-day remand, to hospital for treatment, reports UNB.

After a short hearing, chamber judge Hasan Foez Siddique sent the writ petition to the full bench of the Supreme Court for hearing on Thursday.

The High Court on Tuesday asked the authorities concerned to send noted photographer Shahidul to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) as soon as possible for his medical treatment.

An HC bench of justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and justice Md Iqbal Kabir passed the order following a writ petition filed by Shahidul Alam's wife Rehnuma Ahmed.

The court also asked the relevant authorities to form a medical board to examine his health and submit a report on his health condition on Thursday.

Rehnuma filed the writ petition challenging the legality of remanding her husband Shahidul Alam for interrogation.

On Monday, Dhaka additional chief metropolitan magistrate Asaduzzaman Nur placed Shahidul Alam on a seven-day remand for interrogation in a case filed under the controversial Section 57 of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Act.

Detective Branch (DB) inspector Arman Ali, also the investigation officer of the case, produced the photographer before the court seeking a 10-day remand.

Detectives detained Shahidul Alam, also chairman of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, from his Dhanmondi residence on Sunday night following his Facebook posts on the ongoing student protests.

Later, police filed a case against him with Ramna police station.