SC stays bail for Manna

The Supreme Court yesterday stayed until November 27 a High Court order that granted bail to detained Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna in a case filed on charges of provoking the armed forces to topple the government.

A three-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha passed the order after a petition was filed by the government, seeking a stay on the HC verdict.

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The apex court also asked the government to submit a leave to appeal petition to this court against the HC judgment by November 27.

Following a bail petition filed by Manna, the HC on November 10 granted him bail in the case.

The government then filed the petition with the SC, seeking a stay on the HC judgment.

Manna was arrested on February 25 last year, a day after an audio of his phone conversations with BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka was leaked.

The same day, a case was filed against the former Awami League leader for instigating the armed forces to overthrow the government.

On March 5 last year, Gulshan police lodged a sedition case against him in which he secured bail from the HC. However, the SC stayed the order.