Babul Akter walks out of jail after 3.5 yrs in wife murder case

Former superintendent of police (SP) Babul Akter, who is accused in a case over the murder of his wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu, has been released on bail after serving 3.5 years in prison.

He walked out of Chattogram Jail around 5:45pm today (4 December), Deputy Jailer Md Ibrahim told The Business Standard.

Earlier in the day, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld a High Court order that granted bail to Babul in the murder case.

Following the court order, Babul's lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir told reporters that there is no legal bar to releasing his client from jail.

Earlier on 27 November, a High Court division bench granted Babul six-month interim bail. The court, at the same time, issued a rule, asking as to why Babul should not be granted permanent bail in the case.

On 13 March 2023, Chattogram 3rd Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Jasim Uddin framed charges against seven accused, including Mitu's husband Babul Akter, in the sensational murder case. 

The other accused in the case are - Motaleb Miah alias Wasim, Anwar Hossain, Ehteshamul Haque Bhola, Shahjahan Miah, Kamrul Islam Shikder Musa and Khairul Islam. 

Following the indictment, Babul filed a petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of Chattogram court's order. The High Court, on 9 May last year, scrapped that petition.

Mahmuda Khanam Mitu was murdered in GEC Intersection area in Chattogram city on 5 June 2016.  Later on 13 September 2021, the Police Bureau of Investigation submitted charge sheet against the seven accused. The court accepted the charge sheet on 10 October that year.