May 28, 2025 5:06 pm
Full News

Bangladeshi High Court Issues Rule on Bail for Journalist Shyamal Dutta

Dhaka, May 6, 2025:
The High Court has issued a rule asking why veteran journalist Shyamal Dutta should not be granted bail in a murder case linked to violence during an anti-discrimination student movement in the Vasantek area of Dhaka in Bangladesh. The rule was issued on Tuesday by a High Court bench comprising Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja.

Advocate Nazmus Saqib appeared before the court on behalf of the bail petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Md Hemayet Ulla represented the state.

According to the case statement, the incident took place on August 5, shortly after the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, during a period of widespread political unrest. A man named Fazlu was reportedly shot near the Diganta Filling Station in Mirpur 14 during a so-called “victory rally” organized by student and youth activists. The bullet struck him in the waist, causing massive bleeding. He succumbed to his injuries soon after being taken to a nearby hospital.

Shyamal Dutta, the editor of the daily Bhorer Kagoj and a former General Secretary of the National Press Club, was named as the 28th accused in the case filed at Vasantek Police Station on September 11. Law enforcement authorities arrested him on September 16 at the Dobaura border area in Mymensingh as he was allegedly attempting to leave the country. He was subsequently taken into custody and placed on a seven-day remand for interrogation.

Dutta’s arrest sparked outrage among media professionals and rights organizations, who condemned the move as an attack on press freedom. Several journalists’ unions and civil society groups have since staged protests demanding his immediate release, arguing that he has long been a respected figure in the media and has no direct connection to the incident.

In a brief statement earlier this month, the Editors’ Council expressed “deep concern” over the arrest and called for a transparent and impartial investigation into the case. Human rights watchdog Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) also urged authorities to ensure that legal procedures are not misused to suppress dissent or curtail journalistic activities.

The High Court has asked the state to respond to the rule within four weeks. The outcome of the bail hearing is expected to set a precedent in light of growing concerns over the treatment of journalists amid political tensions in the country.

Related News
Virat Kohli Retires from Test Cricket, Rejects BCCI’s Request
2024 Rankings: Global Capacity to Deter External Threats
SANCTIONED: 100 Targets Fueling Putin’s War Machine
Lucy Liu Open to Reprising Role in ‘Charlie’s Angels’ Reboot
Newly Appointed Bangladesh Chief Election Commissioner Is a Son of Listed Collaborator
Greek Authorities Advise Precautions on Santorini Amid Seismic Activity
Related Posts
Trump Promised ‘No Tax on Social Security’—But the GOP Tax Bill Falls Short
Continued Downtrend in Bangladesh Stock Market Sparks Investor Anxiety
Germany’s Chancellor Promises to Support Ukraine in Producing Long-Range Missiles
Trump’s 5-Step Strategy to Keep GOP Control of the House in 2026
Jakarta Emerges as France’s Leading Arms Client in Southeast Asians
Trump’s Fury with Putin Grows Amid Republican Rift Over Ukraine War
More News

BRICS Nations Control Over 20% of Global Gold Reserves, Boosting Economic Influence

BRICS Nations Now Control Over 20% of Global Gold Reserves, Strengthening Economic Alliances and De-Dollarization Efforts A recent report from the World Gold Council reveals that the BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – now collectively hold more than 20% of the world’s gold reserves, marking a significant shift in global […]

Secret Files on Kennedy Assassination Finally Released

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has finally released thousands of pages of official files related to the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy (JFK). On Tuesday, March 18 (local time), the U.S. National Archives published these documents. The newly released secret files have sparked curiosity among historians and internet users alike. […]

European Leaders to Convene in Paris Amid U.S. and Russia Talks on Ukraine

Dhaka, February 17, 2025 – In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump initiated discussions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin, catching Ukraine and its European allies off guard. This development has prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to host an emergency meeting with key European leaders on Monday to address the […]

Why Al Pacino Turned Down the Han Solo Role in Star Wars

This decision could have been a game-changer, but Al Pacino passed on it. “It was mine for the taking, but I didn’t understand the script,” he said. And just like that, one of the most iconic roles in cinema history slipped away from him. In the mid-’70s, Pacino’s career was booming after The Godfather. In […]

27 Bangladeshis Arrested in Overnight Raids in Kerala

Twenty-seven Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested for illegally staying in the port city of Kochi in the southernmost state of Kerala. The Anti-Terrorism Squad of the Indian Central Government Police and members of the state police arrested the Bangladeshis in an overnight operation on Thursday (January 30). Indian news agency ANI confirmed this information in […]

Nations Celebrate Agreement on Funding to Protect Nature at UN Talks

Rome, Feb 28: Nations celebrated a last-minute breakthrough deal on February 27 to map out crucial funding to protect nature, overcoming geopolitical tensions at the UN talks. The agreement was seen as a significant test of international cooperation. A delicate compromise between rich and developing countries was reached on raising and delivering the billions needed […]

Saudi Arabia Lifts Mandatory Meningitis Vaccination Requirement for Umrah Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has officially lifted the mandatory meningitis vaccination requirement for performing Umrah. The country’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced the decision on Thursday (February 6). Previously, Saudi authorities had issued a directive stating that from February 10 onwards, all Umrah pilgrims must receive the Neisseria meningitis vaccine. According to Khaleej Times, the Civil […]

Shakira Hospitalized for Stomach Issues, Concert in Lima Canceled

Colombian singer Shakira has been hospitalized due to stomach problems, as confirmed by the artist in a statement on Sunday, February 16. She announced that she was unable to perform at her scheduled concert in Lima, Peru, due to her condition. According to the Associated Press, Shakira is currently not in a condition to perform, […]

Oldest Active American Astronaut Returns to Earth on His 70th Birthday

Veteran American astronaut Don Pettit returned to Earth on his 70th birthday. On Sunday, April 20 at 1:20 AM (UTC), the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft landed in Kazakhstan, carrying Pettit back from space, according to a report by the BBC. NASA confirmed that alongside Pettit, Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Wagner also returned from the […]

British Minister Criticizes Elon Musk’s Comments on UK Politics as Misjudged and Misinformed

London – On January 3, a senior British government minister criticized Elon Musk’s recent comments on UK politics as “misjudged and certainly misinformed.” The tech billionaire had accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of failing to bring “rape gangs” to justice during his tenure as director of public prosecutions. In a series of posts on his […]