'July warrior' Tahrima get bail hours after remand amid age controversy
Protesters claim that although Tahrima is 17 years and one month old, police falsely recorded her age as 21 to justify her arrest and remand.
Tahrima Jannat Surovi, who identifies herself as a "July warrior" associated with the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), was granted bail in an extortion case this evening (5 January) just hours after being placed on remand.
Gazipur District and Sessions Judge Court Judge Amit Kumar Guha annulled a remand order against Tahrima at around 6pm and approved a four-week interim bail, according to Tahrima's lawyer and Gazipur Lawyers' Association General Secretary Mostafizur Rahman Kamal.
According to court sources, police produced Tahrima before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-2 around noon and requested a five-day remand. After a hearing, Magistrate Syed Fazlul Mahadi approved a two-day remand. Tahrima's lawyers subsequently filed a revision petition with the District and Sessions Judge Court.
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In the afternoon, when Tahrima was brought to the court premises, a group of demonstrators gathered to protest. They claimed that although Tahrima is 17 years and one month old, police falsely recorded her age as 21 to justify her arrest and remand.
Expressing solidarity with the protesters, NCP Central Joint Organising Secretary Ali Naser Khan said, "What happened to Surovi is extremely unfortunate. We respect the law and expect justice to be served."
In the evening, the District and Sessions Judge Court canceled the remand and granted interim bail after considering Tahrima's age and other humanitarian factors, according to her lawyer.
Kaliakoir Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nasir Uddin said, "The case statement mentioned Tahrima's age as 21, so no separate verification was initially conducted. However, following public controversy, her birth registration is now being verified.
Gazipur Superintendent of Police Md Sharif Uddin added, "I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure no injustice occurs. I hope for a fair resolution."
Tahrima was arrested around 12am on 25 December from her residence in Tongi during a joint operation by law enforcers.
She was reportedly arrested in a case filed by journalist Naimur Rahman Durjoy, alleging extortion of Tk50,000. A video of her arrest circulated on social media, sparking widespread criticism.
