Five journalists detained during the tenure of the interim government over a range of allegations that drew significant public attention remain in custody, raising concerns among legal experts and rights advocates over how the cases are being handled.
After failing to secure bail in lower courts, they have turned to the High Court, where their petitions are now being heard across multiple benches as the legal process continues.
Among them, the bail petitions of Shakil Ahmed, former head of news at Ekattor Television, and Farzana Rupa, its principal correspondent, were heard last week, with the court reserving its verdict on Tuesday.
In separate cases, the High Court issued rules nearly a year ago regarding the bail of Shyamal Dutta, editor of Bhorer Kagoj, and Mozammel Haque Babu, former managing director and editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV. However, no further hearings have taken place since then.
Another of the detained journalists is former National Press Club president and ex-BNP leader Shawkat Mahmood.
Concerns over the handling of the cases have been raised by legal experts and rights advocates. The allegations brought against the journalists have been questioned from the outset, yet investigations remain incomplete and bail applications have repeatedly been rejected.
Calls for the release of the detained journalists have come from various organisations in Bangladesh, as well as international advocacy group Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which has raised the issue on multiple occasions.
On Monday, CPJ wrote to Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, urging the new government to fulfill its election promise to withdraw politically motivated cases against Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Haq Babu and Shyamal Dutta.
Supreme Court lawyer Iyarul Islam said the delays point to deeper flaws in the system. “Our investigation process is itself flawed. Police are influenced by the administration during investigations,” he told TIMES of Bangladesh.
“These cases involving journalists should be investigated quickly. That is a matter of justice,” he added.
13 cases filed against Shakil and Farzana
Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa, a married couple, had been working at Ekattor Television for several years before being removed from their positions on 8 August 2024, after the July uprising. They were detained on 22 August at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while attempting to travel to Paris with their daughter.
A day earlier, they had been shown arrested in a case filed with Uttara East Police Station over allegations of attempted murder. They were later named in a total of 13 cases, several of which include murder charges.
One such case, filed on 22 August 2024, alleges that on 5 August that year, activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations opened fire on a procession on Ring Road in Adabor, Mohammadpur. Several people, including garment worker Rubel, were injured. Rubel was shot in the chest and abdomen and later died in hospital.
The case names former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as the main accused. Alongside 156 named individuals, it also lists between 400 and 500 unidentified suspects.
The journalist couple were taken on remand in this case on 26 August 2024 and questioned for five days.
No bail for Mozammel Babu and Shyamal Dutta
Mozammel Haque Babu was arrested on 17 September 2024 from the Dhobaura border area in Mymensingh. He was shown arrested in multiple cases, including murder and extortion, and taken on remand for questioning.
On the same day, Shyamal Dutta was also arrested from the same area. He was shown arrested in the Fazlul Karim murder case filed with Bhashantek Police Station and later placed on remand.
He was later charged in a separate case over allegations of torturing a man named Alamgir Hossain Bhuiyan while in police custody. In addition, he was named as an accused in another case at the International Crimes Tribunal, which alleges “genocide and incitement” linked to a meeting with Sheikh Hasina.
On 4 May 2025, a High Court bench comprising Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja issued a rule asking why Mozammel Babu should not be granted bail in a murder case filed with Badda Police Station.
Two days later, the same bench issued a similar rule asking why Shyamal Dutta should not be granted bail in the Bhashantek murder case.
However, hearings on both rules have not taken place for nearly a year.
Lawyer Nazmus Sakib Tusti, who represents the two journalists, told TIMES, “We will soon take steps to move the rule hearings forward. We respect the law, but it is unfortunate that investigations in these cases have not been completed even after such a long time.”
Shawkat Mahmood voices concern
Former BNP leader and former National Press Club president Shawkat Mahmood was detained on 7 December 2025 from the Malibagh area of Dhaka.
He was later shown arrested in a case accusing him of involvement in a “conspiracy to overthrow the government” and was placed on a five-day remand on 11 December.
On 30 March, he was again shown arrested in another case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, linked to a roundtable discussion organised by a group called Mancho 71.
Speaking to reporters after a court hearing in that case, Shawkat Mahmood said, “If I speak too much, bail will be blocked.”
His lawyer, Supreme Court advocate Iyarul Islam, said, “No matter how serious the allegation, anyone can be granted bail before a verdict. The court must consider the accused impartially.”
Panna, Anis Alamgir secure bail after setbacks
On the day of the Mancho 71 roundtable, a mob attack took place at the venue, but police did not act against the attackers. Instead, the organisers were detained, including journalist Monjurul Alam Panna, along with 15 others. They were later sent to jail under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
After multiple rejections, Panna was granted bail by the High Court on 10 November.
Journalist Anis Alamgir was detained on 14 December last year from a gym in Dhanmondi. He had been critical of the Yunus-led government during television talk shows.
He was released on 14 March after securing bail from the High Court in two separate cases.
Calls for release
The Editors’ Council has repeatedly called for the release of the detained journalists.
In a statement issued on 14 January 2024, it said, “Such cases amount to an abuse of existing laws and, at the same time, violate the interim government’s commitment to independent journalism.”
On 7 July 2025, more than 50 journalists working across different media outlets also demanded bail for those in custody.
The Editors’ Council issued another statement on 15 December 2025 following the arrest of Anis Alamgir.
International advocacy group Committee to Protect Journalists has also issued multiple statements urging steps to secure the release of the detained journalists.
