Dhaka, Nov 18 – The High Court yesterday granted anticipatory bail to BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas and his wife, Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal chief Afroza Abbas for eight weeks, in three cases filed over the Naya Paltan clashes. The cases were filed with Paltan Police Station for setting fire to police vehicles, preventing police from discharging duties and vandalising vehicles during a clash between the BNP men and police near the BNP central office in Nayapaltan on November 14.
To secure bail, Mirza Abbas and his wife, yesterday appeared before the HC and filed petitions seeking anticipatory bail in the cases.
In response to their bail pleas, the HC bench comprising Justice Md Rezaul Haque and Justice Zafar Ahmed granted their bail for eights weeks in the cases. It also asked them to surrender to the lower court concerned after eight weeks in connection with the cases.
Additional Attorney General Momtaz Uddin Fakir told reporters that the Attorney General’s Office is yet to decide whether any appeal will be moved before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court challenging the HC orders of bail.
Advocate Zainul Abedin, Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman appeared for the accused petitioners
Violence broke out in front of the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan between police and the party’s supporters on Wednesday during the sale of nomination forms ahead of the Dec 30 election. Two police cars were set ablaze and many vehicles were vandalised.
Several helmet-wearing individuals were seen on the spot vandalizing and torching vehicles. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader blamed BNP leader Mirza Abbas for the clashes.
Police have filed three cases over the incident against BNP leaders, including Abbas and Afroza.
The court granted police a five-day remand to question detained BNP leader Nipun Roy Chowdhury in one case.
About 200 people were accused in the cases, include BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP Vice-Chairman Akhtaruzzaman, its Jatrabari unit chief Nabiullah Nabi and Kafil Uddin, a member of the BNP chief’s Advisory Council. – Staff Reporter
