Selina Hayat Ivy, former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation and senior vice-president of the Narayanganj district Awami League, has been granted bail again in a murder case over the death of rickshaw puller Tuhin during the 2024 mass uprising. After the court proceedings on Tuesday, Ivy raised the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’ as she left the court, declaring, “Joy Bangla, you cannot suppress us.”
Ivy appeared before the Narayanganj District and Sessions Judge’s Court for a hearing in the case. She arrived at the court premises at 10.55am and was escorted into the courtroom under police protection. A large number of lawyers, journalists and her supporters were present at the court.
During the hearing, Ivy’s lawyer, Advocate Awlad Hossain, told the court that police had submitted a final report in the case. According to the defence, investigators had found no evidence of explosives or evidence linking Ivy to the allegations in the case.
Awlad Hossain also said that Aleya Akter Mim, the complainant and wife of the deceased, had not appeared before the court despite receiving notice. He argued that Ivy had previously been granted bail in the case and requested that the court accept the police’s final report and renew her bail.
However, Public Prosecutor Zakir Hossain opposed the bail application. He said the prosecution intended to submit a petition challenging the decision on bail.
The exchange prompted Ivy’s lawyers and other members of the defence team to ask the public prosecutor under which legal provision he intended to file such a petition. Following arguments from both sides, District and Sessions Judge Abu Shamim Azad granted Ivy bail again.
The submission of a police final report and the granting of bail are distinct legal matters. The defence’s account of the investigation was presented during the hearing, while the court’s order addressed Ivy’s bail status. The available information does not establish that the case has been finally disposed of or that all allegations against the accused have been dismissed.
Background to the case
According to the case statement, rickshaw puller Tuhin was killed on 20 July 2024 in front of BRAC Bank on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, during the mass uprising.
Former member of parliament Shamim Osman has been named as the first accused in the murder case, while Ivy is listed as the 11th accused. The case forms part of the legal proceedings arising from violence during the uprising, which culminated in a major political upheaval in Bangladesh in August 2024.
The naming of a person as an accused does not, by itself, establish guilt. Similarly, the granting of bail allows an accused to remain at liberty subject to the applicable legal conditions; it does not amount to an acquittal. The ultimate outcome depends on the subsequent judicial process and any decisions concerning the police report and the allegations.
Ivy raises ‘Joy Bangla’ slogan
After the hearing, Ivy was heard raising the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’ as she left the court and approached her vehicle. She also said, “Joy Bangla, you cannot suppress us.”
The slogan has long been associated with the political history of Bangladesh and the Awami League. Its use by Ivy following the court proceedings drew attention to her public response to the legal proceedings.
Ivy, a prominent political figure in Narayanganj, has served as mayor of the city corporation and held a senior position in the district Awami League. Her appearance in the case comes amid ongoing legal proceedings relating to incidents during the 2024 uprising.
Meanwhile, another case involving Ivy is scheduled to be heard at the Narayanganj District Judge’s Court on Wednesday. She is due to appear in that matter as the judicial proceedings continue.
