A Dhaka court on Sunday granted bail to teacher AKM Shahidul Islam, who was arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for making derogatory remarks about BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
The bail order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Jewel Rana after a hearing in the afternoon. Shahidul Islam serves as the deputy principal of Gabtoli Technical Training Center in the capital.
According to Sub-Inspector Swapan of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police prosecution division, Shahidul Islam had been sent to jail on Saturday after being arrested under Section 54. His lawyer filed a bail application on Sunday, which the court accepted.
Shahidul Islam was detained by police from the Shahbagh area on Saturday. Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Moniruzzaman said that during Tarique Rahman’s visit to the grave of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, Shahidul Islam was making derogatory remarks about him. BNP leaders and activists present at the scene detained Shahidul Islam and handed him over to police.
Meanwhile, the BNP issued a statement on Saturday night demanding the teacher’s release. The party said arresting and imprisoning someone for expressing an opinion was unjustified and reiterated its position that freedom of expression is a fundamental right in a democratic country.
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