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Dhaka, Bangladesh — August 2025
In a landmark ruling, the High Court division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court has dismissed the long-standing case against renowned photojournalist and human rights activist Dr. Shahidul Alam, originally filed in 2018 under the now-repealed Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act.
📜 Background of the Case
- Charges Filed: August 2018, following comments made by Dr. Alam during an interview with Al Jazeera and on Facebook about student-led protests demanding road safety.
- Allegations: Dissemination of “provocative false statements” that allegedly incited public unrest and portrayed the government as ineffective.
- Legal Basis: Section 57 criminalized digital content deemed “fake, obscene, or defamatory,” punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Dr. Alam was arrested by plainclothes officers at his Dhaka residence, blindfolded, and held in remand for six days. He spent 102 days in jail before being granted bail. His arrest drew international condemnation, and Amnesty International declared him a Prisoner of Conscience.
🧑⚖️ Court Proceedings and Dismissal
- Bench: Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Tamanna Rahman Khalidi
- Dismissal Date: August 7, 2025
- Legal Journey:
- 2019: Dr. Alam filed a writ petition challenging the case’s continuation under a repealed law.
- 2024: The High Court issued a rule asking the state to justify the case.
- 2025: The case was formally quashed.
🛑 Repeal of Section 57 and Legislative Transitions
- ICT Act Repealed: October 2018, replaced by the Digital Security Act (DSA).
- DSA Repealed: 2023, replaced by the Cyber Security Act (CSA).
- Criticism: Rights groups argue CSA retains repressive elements of both DSA and Section 57, continuing the suppression of dissent.
🗣️ Reactions and Human Rights Advocacy
Amnesty International’s South Asia Research Director, Isabelle Lassee, welcomed the dismissal:
“This outcome for Shahidul Alam was long overdue. He was targeted solely for criticizing the authorities’ excessive use of force during peaceful student protests. His case exemplifies the misuse of laws to silence dissent.”
Rights organizations continue to call for:
- The dismissal of all pending cases under repealed laws
- Legislative reforms to align with international human rights standards
- Accountability for alleged custodial torture and unlawful detentions
🌐 Broader Implications
Dr. Alam’s case has become a symbol of resistance against digital censorship and authoritarian legal frameworks in Bangladesh. The dismissal sets a precedent for judicial scrutiny of outdated and unconstitutional laws used to stifle free expression.
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