A Dhaka court has rejected the bail petition of former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque in a murder case involving the death of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Kaiyum Ahad during an anti-discrimination student protest in the capital’s Jatrabari area.
On Thursday (31 July), following a hearing, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Masum Mia passed the order. Advocate Monayem Nabi Shahin argued on behalf of Haque, seeking his bail.
During the hearing, the defence counsel stated:
“A.B.M. Khairul Haque, a former Chief Justice, was arrested on 24 July merely to harass him. The incident in question occurred on 18 July last year, but the case was not filed until 6 July this year, almost a year later, without any clear justification for the delay.”
He further argued:
- Justice Haque retired on 17 June 2011.
- Since 5 August last year, his residence and movements have been under constant police protection, a record preserved in police headquarters.
- On the date of the incident, he was at home under security surveillance after returning from official duties at the Law Commission.
- He did not visit the Jatrabari area that day.
- Aged 81, he suffers from various chronic ailments.
- He would not abscond and was prepared to face trial if granted bail.
Despite these arguments, the court denied the bail request.
Background and Case Developments:
| Event | Details |
| Arrest Date | 24 July (from Dhanmondi residence) |
| Initial Custody | Sent to jail the same night |
| Virtual Arrest | 29 July, in a case filed in Narayanganj’s Fatullah Police Station, alleging illegal and fabricated verdicts in scrapping the caretaker government system |
| Remand Order | 7-day remand granted on Wednesday in a separate Shahbagh Police Station case, alleging judicial corruption and issuing forged verdicts |
| Current Status | In police remand |
Case Summary:
According to the case, during an anti-discrimination student protest on 18 July last year, at around 6 PM, in the Jatrabari area:
- Abdul Kaiyum Ahad was attacked with firearms, sharp weapons, tear gas shells, and sound grenades.
- He was shot in the face and chest, collapsing in front of the Kajla Police Box.
- Then-Jatrabari OC Abul Hossain allegedly shot him in both legs.
- He was taken to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
On 6 July this year, Ahad’s father Md. Ala Uddin filed a case with Jatrabari Police Station.
- The FIR lists 467 named accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,
- Alongside 1,000 to 2,000 unnamed individuals.
- Former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque is the 44th named accused in the case.
