The appellate division has dismissed the state appeal against a High Court order to give division to imprisoned photographer Shahidul Alam. As a result, the division given to Alam stays, said his lawyers.

The appeal bench led by chief justice, Mahmud Hossain, ordered the division privilege to remain for Alam.

At court, the state was represented by attorney general, Mahbubey Alam while barrister Sara Hossain represented Shahidul Alam.

Earlier, on Aug 27 last, Dhaka’s chief magistrate, Saifuzzaman Hero, ordered division to be granted to Alam as per jail code; later, a writ was also lodged to get the division and, finally, an order in this regard was given on Sept  5. Following this, the state lodged a leave to appeal to have the division scrapped.

Hearing on bail plea adjourned

The HC also adjourned the hearing on Shahidul Alam’s bail petition in the case under the ICT Act till Oct 7.

A bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman put off the hearing on Thursday (Oct 4) after additional deputy attorney general Momtaj Uddin Fakir sought time on the plea of the attorney general would appear during the hearing in the case.

Fakir sought the time after the plaintiff’s counsel Sara Hossain finished her hearing on the bail petition on Wednesday (Oct 3).

Founder of Drik Gallery was arrested under ICT act after he gave an interview to an international media body.

On Aug 28, the high court expressed ‘embarrassment’ to hear Alam’s bail petition, therefore, as per rules, a new bench was formed by the chief justice. After hearing at the new bench, Alam was given first class division in jail by High Court.