HC stays probe against Shahidul for three months

The High Court (HC) has stayed for three months the investigation into the case filed against renowned photographer Shahidul Alam under the Information and Technology (ICT) Act, report agencies.

A bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed the order on Thursday.

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.

Barrister 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 March 04, 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 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 August 05 last year.

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