A Dhaka court has granted bail to speech-impaired youth Sayed Sheikh, who was arrested last week for allegedly chanting slogans at a sudden rally of the ruling Awami League near Golap Shah Mazar in Gulistan.
On Tuesday, Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain approved his bail until submission of the police report, upon a bond of Tk 1,000. Prosecutor Md Shamsuddoha Suman confirmed the decision.
Sayed, who his lawyers insist cannot speak or even feed himself properly, was arrested on August 25 under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Police claimed he, along with several others, was part of a banned organization and engaged in anti-state activities by chanting slogans. While others managed to flee, Sayed was taken into custody and later sent to Keraniganj Central Jail.
During earlier hearings, the court ordered a medical examination to verify his disability, but no report was submitted by the Civil Surgeon’s office. His lawyer, Advocate Umme Habiba, argued in court: “Sayed is speech-impaired, he cannot shout slogans. This case defies logic. We seek justice.”
The prosecution, however, disputed the disability claim, saying Sayed is not mute but only “unclear in speech,” and argued against bail until the medical report is received.
Judge Zakir Hossain remarked that the case had appeared before him three times and that he had never rejected bail on humanitarian grounds.
Advocate Mohammad Liton Mia, another defense lawyer, said Sayed faces no other charges and expressed hope that he will be released from jail on Wednesday.
The case against him, filed by Paltan Police Sub-Inspector Md Abu Yusuf, accuses Sayed and others of assembling to undermine state security by chanting anti-government slogans.
