Shams gets bail in another DSA case

A Dhaka court on Sunday granted bail to Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams in another case filed with Tejgaon Police Station under the Digital Security Act.

Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Sheikh Sadi passed the order after Shams through his lawyer surrendered before the court with a bail petition in the case.

On April 3, Shams got bail from another Dhaka court in another case filed by a lawyer named Abdul Malek Mashiur Malek with Ramna Police Station under the DSA.

Five days after his detention from his residence in Savar, on the outskirts of the capital, Shams walked out of the jail at 6:22pm on April 3.

Earlier, a Dhaka court on March 30 sent him jail rejecting his bail petition when he was produced before the court by the Ramna police station.

Prothom Alo’s editor and publisher, Matiur Rahman, an unnamed photographer and other unnamed people were also accused in the case.

According to the case, there is the allegation of using print, online, and electronic media to tarnish the image and reputation of the state.

The FIR mentioned that the accused spread falsehood on purpose to deteriorate the law and order situation of the country.

Shams spoke to people including a child named Shobuj on March 25, on the eve of Independence Day, and submitted a report on people’s suffering due to price hikes. The report was published on March 26.

The news drew criticism as the newspaper used the child’s photo with a quote from a 40-year-old labourer named Zakir.

Prothom Alo withdrew the report within around half an hour and issued a correction later in the day, saying there was an inconsistency between the headline and the accompanying photo.