Dhaka: The High Court on Monday stayed the proceedings of 72 cases filed in several districts against Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam.

The court also issued a rule upon the authorities concerned to explain why proceedings of those cases should not be declared illegal.

The High Court bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Mohammad Amir Hossain came up with the order and rule following a writ petition filed by the Star editor challenging the legality of the case proceedings.

Barrister Rafiq-ul-Haque and Barrister Marbub Kabir stood for the appeal while Assistant Attorney General Arbind Kumar stood for the state during the hearing.

According to case statements, a total of 83 lawsuits were filed against the editor across the country.

Earlier, Sylhet District Sessions Judge dismissed one case. Documents of ten cases were not found.

On 3 April, Mahfuz Anam secured four-week bail from High Court in 68 cases. He also secured bail in the other cases from lower court.

Leaders of different bodies of Awami league filed the cases against the Star editor on the allegation of publishing reports defaming Awami League President Sheikh Hasina during the 2007-08 military-backed caretaker government regime.