No barrier to free Babul Akter from jail

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has upheld a High Court order that allowed bail to former Superintendent of Police (SP) Babul Akter in a case lodged over the murder of his wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu.

Appellate Division Judge-in-Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order on Wednesday after hearing on an appeal filed by Mitu's father Mosharraf Hossain.

A High Court division bench of Justice Md Atoar Rahman and Justice Md Ali Reza on November 27 granted Babul a six-month interim bail, considering that he is languishing in jail for last 3.7 years.

The court on that day also issued a rule, asking as to why Babul shall not be granted permanent bail in the case.

Babul's lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir said because of today's order, there is no legal bar in releasing his client from the jail.

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

Babul after that filed the petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of Chattogram court's indictment order. The High Court on May 9, 2023, however, scrapped that petition.

The former SP filed a bail petition at the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court in Chattogram on August 14. However, the court rejected his plea on August 18.