Section 57: Bail granted to journalist sued for Facebook post on minister, dead goat

A Khulna journalist arrested under the ICT Act's Section 57 has secured bail.

Abdul Latif Moral, the Dumuria Upazila correspondent of a Khulna-based newspaper, was sent to jail on Tuesday after police produced him in court.

Moral's counsel Farid Ahmed said the metropolitan magistrate court’s in Khulna accepted his client's bail petition on Wednesday.

Dumuria resident Subroto Fouzdar, the local correspondent of a Jessore-based newspaper, filed the case accusing Moral of defamation.

He stands accused of defaming Khulna-5 MP Narayon Chandra Chanda, who also serves as the state minister for fisheries and livestock.

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On Jul 29, Chanda presided over a programme organised by the Dumuria livestock office, when goats and poultry were distributed among the poor and one of the goats died the same night.

The controversial ICT law that drew criticism from media and rights activists who say the particular provision -- Section 57 -- effectively muzzles the freedom of speech and expression.

It criminalises publishing fake, obscene or defaming information in electronic form.

An offence, which is non-bailable under the law, is punishable by at least seven years to a maximum of 14 years in jail. Fine can be as high as Tk 10 million.