HC acquits DSE Director Minhaz Mannan in DSA case

The High Court has acquitted Minhaz Mannan Emon, a director of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE), in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA).

An HC bench comprising Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice Md Jabid Hossain delivered the verdict on 30 October, granting Emon's appeal and overturning the earlier order that had framed charges against him.

Emon's counsel, Advocate Moyeen Ferozee, confirmed the development, saying the ruling fully clears his client of the allegations made in the case filed in 2020.

Deputy Attorney General Sultana Akhter Ruby represented the state during the proceedings.

According to court documents, the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal had framed charges on 27 February 2022 against seven individuals, including cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore, Rashtrachinta member Didarul Islam Bhuiyan, and Minhaz Mannan Emon.

 The others accused were Sweden-based journalist Tasnim Khalil, Hungary-based Samiul Islam Khan (alias Sam or Zulkar Nine), Ashiq Imran, and Wahidun Nabi.

Following the tribunal's decision, both Didarul Islam and Emon appealed against the order. Their appeals were initially rejected. 

Later, Emon also moved to the High Court later that year. On 24 August 2022, the HC accepted his appeal for hearing and stayed the proceedings against him.

The case was filed at Ramna Police Station on 5 May 2020, accusing several individuals of spreading "conspiratorial talks and rumours" against the state through social media during the then Sheikh Hasina-led government. 

The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police submitted the charge sheet on 4 February 2021.