Jhuman Das moves High Court for bail in DSA case

Jhuman Das Prakash Apan, a youth arrested in Sylhet over posting a Facebook post against Hefazat-e-Islami leader Mamunul Haque, has moved the High Court for bail in a case filed under the Digital Security Act.

Jhuman’s counsel and Sunamganj District Bar member Debangshu Talukder told Dhaka Tribune that Jhuman Das had turned to the top court after the lower courts repeatedly rejected his bail petitions.

He declined to comment further on the matter, saying that the Hindu-Buddha-Christian Oikkya Parishad was taking care of the matter.

Twenty-five-year-old Jhuman has been in jail for nearly six and a half months since his arrest in March.

Also Read - Case filed against Jhuman under Digital Security Act

According to the case documents, Islamic scholar and former Hefazat joint secretary general Mamnul Huq spoke at a gathering in Derai upazila on March 15.

Enraged by Mamunul Haque's speech at the conference, Jhuman Das from Noagaon village posted a status on his Facebook on March 16 criticizing Mamunul, who had earlier opposed the construction of the sculpture of Bangabandhu.

The post prompted Mamunul's supporters to bring out a procession in the area on March 16, accusing the Hindu man of hurting religious sentiments.

Also Read - US report lists communal attacks in Bangladesh in 2020

Jhuman was detained the same night in a case filed under the Digital Security Act by the police.

On March 17, thousands of followers of the Hefazat leader from Kashipur, Nachni, Chandipur and other villages inhabited by Muslims attacked Noagaon village with sticks and locally-made weapons.

They ransacked Hindu homes and looted valuables as residents fled the village in fear, the police official added.