Begum Rokeya University teacher Mahmudul Haque granted bail in murder case
Judge Marzia Khatun of Rangpur Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court granted him bail this evening (22 June) following a hearing
Mahmudul Haque, assistant professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at Begum Rokeya University, has been granted bail by a metropolitan court after being arrested in connection with a murder case filed over the death of a shopkeeper in Rangpur during the July Uprising last year.
Judge Marzia Khatun of Rangpur Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court granted him bail this evening (22 June) following a hearing.
Earlier in the day, Mahmudul Haque's lawyers had filed a bail petition with the Rangpur Metropolitan Magistrate Court-1.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
However, Judge Md Soebur Rahman of Metropolitan Magistrate Court-1 rejected the petition and initially scheduled a new hearing for Tuesday (24 June).
Later, Mahmudul's legal team submitted a bail petition as a "miscellaneous case" to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court, where the presiding judge—who also holds additional responsibility as Joint Metropolitan Sessions Judge—approved the bail.
Mahmudul Haque's lawyer Shamim Al Mamun said that the plaintiff in the case was unaware of Mahmudul's inclusion as an accused.
Mahmudul was one of the first to speak out against the murder of Abu Sayeed, and that filing a case against him contradicts the spirit of the July Uprising, Shamim said.
Mahmudul's wife, Masuba Hasan Mun, confirmed that he had returned home after being released from jail and is currently resting.
She expressed gratitude to relatives, students, colleagues, journalists, and well-wishers for their support during the ordeal.
Court documents revealed that on 3 June, Amena Begum, the wife of deceased grocery shop owner Somesh Uddin, filed the murder case at Hajirhat Police Station.
The case named 54 people as accused, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader. Mahmudul was listed as the 54th accused.
Following the arrest, students, faculty members, and civil society actors have staged protests demanding Mahmudul's immediate release, claiming he is innocent and being victimised for political reasons.
