Dhaka, August 22 – The High Court has overturned the sentences of Adilur Rahman Khan Shubhra, Secretary of the human rights organization Odhikar, and Nasir Uddin Elan, the organization’s Director. 

The case dates back to 2013 when the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal sentenced Shubhra and Elan to two years in prison under the Information Technology Act. The charges were related to alleged data distortion concerning the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally raid in Motijheel.

The verdict, issued by Judge AM Zulfikar Hayat of the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal on September 14 of last year, also included a fine of ten thousand rupees. This was the first case prosecuted under the IT Act concerning data distortion.

The High Court’s decision effectively cancels both the imprisonment and the fine imposed on Shubhra and Elan.