The High Court (HC) has issued a rule asking why Drik Gallery founder Shahidul Alam will not be granted bail in a case filed against him under the ICT Act.

The State has been ordered to respond within a week.

The bench of justices AKM Asaduzzaman and SM Mozibur Rahman gave the order on Sunday after hearing a writ on the issue.

Barrister Sara Hossain argued for Shahidul Alam while Attorney General Mahbubey Alam stood for the State.

Earlier on Sept 11, a Dhaka metropolitan sessions judge turned down the bail plea by Alam, an eminent photographer.

Alam was arrested in a case filed under Section 57 of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act on the night of Aug 5, a few hours after he had given an interview to Qatar-based television channel Al Jazeera on the student protests for road safety.

“He (Shahidul Alam) claimed that women were abducted, banks are looted and the government will be ousted during the interview, which are offences under the ICT Act’s Section 57,” Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told the media after Sunday’s hearing.“Because, such remarks undermine the image of the country, deteriorates law and order and chances of creating disorder increased.”

“The video he made and posted on Facebook was broadcasted by Al Jazeera. His statements were also aired which clearly falls under Section 57,” added Mahbubey Alam.