Babar walks out of jail after 17.5 years

Former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar has been released from jail after 17 and a half years as he was acquitted in all cases.

Babar walked out of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj at 1:45 PM on Thursday (January 16).

Earlier, family members, party leaders, and supporters gathered outside the jail to receive him.

Md. Jahangir Kabir, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Prisons, Dhaka Division, confirmed Babar’s release from jail.

In addition to Babar, several other high-profile individuals involved in the 2004 Chattogram 10-truck arms haul case were also released. They include Rezzaqul Haider Chowdhury, former director general of the National Security Intelligence and Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, Liaquat Hossain, former NSI deputy director, Akbar Hossain Khan, former NSI field officer, Shahabuddin Ahmad, retired wing commander, and Mohsin Uddin Talukder, former managing director of Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited.

The High Court on Monday acquitted Babar and four others who had been serving life sentences in the 10-truck arms haul case, clearing the way for their release.

The acquitted individuals include Rezzaqul Haider Chowdhury, Mohsin Uddin Talukder, former CUFL general manager KM Enamul Haque, and Md Nurul Amin, who remains in hiding.

The appeals of several other convicts were dismissed, including that of former Jamaat-e-Islami chief and industries minister Matiur Rahman Nizami, who was executed for war crimes. Three other accused — retired Brigadier General Md Abdur Rahim, labor supplier Din Mohammad, and trawler owner Haji Md Abdus Sobhan — died in custody during the proceedings.