Renowned photographer Shahidul Alam, currently in prison under a case filed under ICT act, has been given first class division by the high court.
The order was given by a joint high court bench comprising justices Borhan Uddin and Md Mostafizur Rahman on Wednesday (Sept 5), following a writ petition by Alam’s wife, Dr Rehnuma Ahmed.
The writ hearing was done by barrister Sara Hossain, accompanied by Jotirmoy Barua. Previously, on 27 August last, chief magistrate, Saifuzzaman Hero, gave an order to give division to Shahidul Alam as per jail code.
But the writ was filed since that order was not carried out.
Barrister Sara Hossain, said: “according to jail code, people under trial are kept in two classes, first and second.”
The code also states that based on someone’s social status and education, a person can be given first class.
Based on our writ, the high court has ordered division facility to be given immediately, said barrister Sara.
Shahidul Alam was arrested in a case filed under Section 57 of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act on Aug 5 night, few hours after he had given an interview to Qatar-based television channel Al Jazeera on the student protests for road safety.
For the proper investigation of the case, inspector of DB, Arman Ali, requested a 10-day remand while barrister Sara Hossain and Jyotirmoy Barua appealed for the revocation of the remand and granting of bail. After hearing from both parties, the judge ordered a seven-day remand.
On Aug 28, lawyers on behalf of Alam appealed for bail.

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