'Spreading Rumours': SC upholds HC stay order on trial against Nawshaba

The Supreme Court today upheld a High Court order that stayed  the trial proceedings against actor Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed -- in a case filed under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act -- for allegedly spreading rumours on social media during last year’s student protests for safe roads.

Nawshaba was detained from Dhaka’s Uttara on August 4 last year, for allegedly spreading rumours on social media regarding the student movement.

Police filed a case under the ICT Act against Nawshaba with Uttara Pashchim Police Station on August 5. The same day, she was placed on a four-day remand.

On August 10, she was again granted a two-day remand for further quizzing. On August 23, she was granted bail considering her health condition.

Today, a five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed "no order" on a petition filed by the government seeking a stay on the HC order.

Deputy Attorney General Bishwajit Debnath told The Daily Star that the HC order will remain in force following the apex court order.

Advocate AF Hasan Arif and Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua appeared for Nawshaba.  

On November 20, the High Court stayed trial proceedings of the case.

The court also issued a rule asking authorities concerned of the government to explain in four weeks why the proceedings should not be scrapped.

Earlier on May 15, police submitted charge sheet against Nawshaba in the case to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court of Dhaka.