Prothom Alo editor gets bail

The High Court yesterday granted bail to Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman and Associate Editor Mizanur Rahman Khan for two months in a defamation case filed in Narayanganj.
In response to two separate petitions filed by the defendants, the court also stayed the proceedings of the case for three months.
Adv Ramzan Ali Sikder, a lawyer for the petitioners, said a leader of Narayanganj Bar filed the defamation case for publishing an article on December 10, stating that Narayanganj Bar Association President Anisur Rahman and General Secretary Khokon Saha are abusing the office of the bar as the cadres of Narayanganj local Awami League leader Shamim Osman.
Mohammad Mohsin Mia, secretary for social service and entertainment, Narayanganj Bar Association, filed the case against Matiur Rahman and Mizanur Rahman on December 14.
Yesterday, the petitioners appeared before a vacation HC bench of Justice Salma Masud Chowdhury and Justice Anwarul Haque seeking bail in the case. After hearing the petitions, the bench passed the orders.
The bench also issued a rule upon the government of complainant of the case to explain why the case now pending before the chief judicial magistrate, "Ka" region, Narayanganj should not be transferred to another criminal court of equal jurisdiction.
It further allowed the petitioners to surrender before the court of the metropolitan magistrate, Dhaka and furnish requisite bail bond. Dr Kamal Hossain appeared for the petitioners.