Acclaimed photographer and social activist Shahidul Alam on Sunday filed a writ petition challenging the legality of the Detective Branch investigating allegations against him under the now abolished draconian Information and Communication Technology Act and transferring the case under the Digital Security Act.

Shahidul Alam in his petition said that the Constitution and the law had been violated by arresting him under the draconian ICT Act and transferring the case under equally draconian renamed Digital Security Act 2019.

He said that his right to freedom of speech, thought and conscience had been flouted by arresting and detaining him under the draconian law with the malafide intention of trying and punishing him.

He sought stay further proceedings in the case filed with the Ramna police station on August 6.

He also sought ruling directing the home secretary, inspector general of police, the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Ramna police station’s officer-in-charge, DB’s Uttara Zone Team inspector Md Mehedi Hasan and DB’s inspector Arman Ali, who is also the investigation officer of the case, to explain as respondents why the proceedings against him would not be declared illegal.

On the night of August 5, DB picked up 63-year Shahidul Alam from his Dhanmondi residence without showing warrant or the reason behind the high handed action against him.

Fifteen hours after he was picked, the DB filed the ICT case against him alleging that he had instigated school children to launch road safety movement in an interview with Al Jazeera and the video he had posted on Facebook live. After suffering 108 days’ detention in the Dhaka Central Jail, On November 20, Shahidul Alam was released on bail.

On November 15, the High Court Division granted Shahidul Alam’s bail after its three benches refused to hear his bail application.

Internationally acclaimed writers, intellectuals, journalists, photographers, right activists demanded Shahidul Alam’s release and described him as a prisoner of conscience.