Give division to Shahidul Alam: HC

Staff Correspondent: The High Court (HC) has directed the authorities concerned to give first-class division facilities to noted photographer Dr Shahidul Alam who has been jailed in a case filed under Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act.

The HC bench of Justice Borhanuddin and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman on Wednesday handed down the order following a writ petition filed by Shahidul’s wife Rahnuma Ahmed.

The order was directed to Home Secretary and jail authorities.

Barrister Sarah Hossain and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua moved for the writ petition while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam represented the state in the court.

After the HC passed the order, Barrister Sarah Hossain said, “The Chief Metropolitan Court in Dhaka on August 27 ordered the authorities concerned to give division facilities to Shahidul.”

“But, Shahidul was not given the division facilities, therefore, the writ petition was moved before the High Court for necessary orders to this effect,” she added.

Shahidul was picked up by law enforcers from his home in the capital's Dhanmondi area on August 5 night. The following day, the police filed the case against him under ICT Act.

Shahidul was placed on a seven-day remand after police produced him at a Dhaka court the same day, seeking 10-day remand. He told the court that he was tortured in custody.

Police, however, refuted the allegation.

Upon completion of his remand, he was sent to jail on August 13.


risingbd/Dhaka/September 05, 2018/Mahidi/A K Azad