HC verdict on bail for journalist couple Shakil, Rupa set for 28 April 

The High Court has scheduled 28 April to deliver its order on the bail petitions of journalist couple Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa in seven cases, including multiple murder charges linked to the July Uprising, following the conclusion of hearings.

The bench of Justice KM Zahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher fixed the date yesterday for the order. 

Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua conducted the hearing on behalf of the bail petitions, while Assistant Attorney General Md Al Amin represented the state, state counsels confirmed today (22 April).

Following the filing of bail petitions in these cases, the High Court had previously issued a rule asking why they should not be granted bail. The date for the order was set after the hearing on that rule concluded.

According to the High Court's online case list, Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed filed 13 separate bail applications across seven cases. The court has scheduled 28 April to pass orders on all of them.

On 31 August 2024, a Dhaka court sent the journalist couple to jail in a case involving the killing of garment worker Rubel, filed with the Adabor Police Station in the capital.

Earlier that year, on 21 August, Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa were detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. 

The following day, on 22 August, a Dhaka court granted a four-day remand for them in the Fazlul Karim murder case at Uttara East Police Station. 

Later on 26 August, they were placed on an additional five-day remand in the Rubel murder case.

Lawyers stated that the petitions were moved before the High Court after their bail pleas were rejected by the Dhaka courts in these seven cases.