The interim bail of Hedait Hossain Molla, Dhaka Tribune’s Khulna correspondent who was arrested under the Digital Security Act 2018 earlier this month, has been extended till January 29.
Khulna District and Sessions Judge Mashiur Rahman Chowdhury gave the order on Monday after Hedait filed a petition seeking extension of his bail, said his lawyers Masum Billah and GM Abdur Razzak.
The next hearing in the case will also take place on January 29, they added.
Also Read- Dhaka Tribune journalist released on interim bail
The same court on January 3 had granted Hedait interim bail till January 14.
On January 2, police arrested Hedait in a case, filed by Khulna Assistant Returning Officer and Batiaghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer Debashish Chowdhury at Batiaghata police station, over providing “untrue” information regarding the11th general election results.
Hedait is also the Khulna correspondent of the Bangla Tribune and city editor of Khulna-based Daily Probaho.
Rashidul Islam, the Khulna correspondent of Daily Manabzamin, was also sued in the same case.
Also Read- Dhaka Tribune journalist arrested under Digital Security Act
In the first information report (FIR), Debashish wrote that despite 80% voter turnout in the Khulna 1 constituency, which encompasses Batighata and Dacope upazilas, Hedait had reported that 22,419 more votes than the actual number of voters were cast in the constituency during the December 30 election.
In the case statement, Debashish claimed that contents of the report were untrue.
