HC wants to see footage of Shahidul's interview

The High Court yesterday sought a video footage of the interview given by internationally acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam to Al Jazeera English during demonstrations for safe roads in August this year.

The bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman asked Attorney General Mahbubey Alam to produce the video footage before it on Thursday.

The court passed the order during hearing the rule issued by it earlier over granting bail to Shahidul, who has been in jail for 85 days, in a case lodged against him for “spreading propaganda and false information against the government”.

After concluding yesterday's proceedings of the rule, the bench also fixed Thursday for resuming the hearing on the issue.

The HC bench sought the video footage as the attorney general told it that Shahidul has provoked people against the state through giving the interview to Al Jazeera English and posting a status on his Facebook, Deputy Attorney General Dr Md Bashir Ullah told The Daily Star.

During hearing yesterday, Shahidul's lawyer Barrister Sara Hossain told the HC that Shahidul Alam has been languishing in jail in a case filed on false and baseless allegations.

There is no progress in the proceedings of the case filed against Shahidul, as police have not submitted any charge sheet to the trial court concerned in connection with the case, she said. She added that Shahidul Alam is unwell as he has been suffering from several health complications including eye problems.

Barrister Sara Hossain also argued that Shahidul would not leave the country and he will face the trial if he is granted bail.