SC stays bail for Manna till Oct 30

The Supreme Court yesterday stayed till October 30 a High Court order granting bail to Nagorik Oikyo Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna in a sedition case.

The apex court passed the order following a government petition seeking a stay on the HC judgment, and adjourned hearing on the petition till October 30.

It also asked the government to file a leave-to-appeal petition against the HC verdict within the same period. 

The HC on August 30 granted him bail on grounds that he has been in confinement for 18 months, but charge sheet against him in the case has not been submitted to the trial court as yet.

Manna was arrested on February 25 last year, a day after a couple of his phone conversations with BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka regarding strengthening of anti-government activities were leaked.

He was sued the same day.

Later, on March 5 the same year, Gulshan police lodged the sedition case against him.