Dhaka: The High Court (HC) today granted ad-interim bail to former Police Super (SP) Babul Akhter in his wife Mahmuda Khan Mitu murder case. A High Court bench comprising Justice Md Atowar Rahman and Justice Ali Reza granted the bail petition moved by Advocate Mohammad Shishier Manir. Advocate Manir informed journalists that following the bail order, there is no legal barrier to releasing Babul Akhter from jail. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the court granted the ad-interim bail considering Babul Akhter's detention for three years and seven months. The HC also issued a rule asking why he should not be granted permanent bail in the case. Advocate Manir highlighted that there has been no prosecution witness in the trial court since July 1, and those who previously provided depositions have applied to withdraw their statements. They alleged being forced to give their testimonies due to fear of the then chief of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Banaz Kumar Majumder. Advocate Shishier Manir further noted that Babul Akhter was in Dhaka on the day of Mitu's killing and was urgently sent to Chattogram via helicopter. He also pointed out that the prosecution remains unaware of the whereabouts of Musa, one of the prime accused. Babul Akhter had previously sought bail from the Third Additional District Judge, Chattogram, but was rejected on August 18. Consequently, he approached the High Court for bail. Mahmuda Akhter Mitu, Babul Akhter's wife, was tragically stabbed and shot dead by unidentified assailants at O R Nizam Road in Chattogram city on the morning of June 5, 2016, while on her way to her son's school. Babul Akhter subsequently filed a murder case with Panchlaish Police Station. The PBI took over the investigation and implicated Babul Akhter in the murder. Following this, Mitu's father, Mosharaf Hossain, lodged a case accusing Babul Akhter as the prime suspect. Despite the PBI's final report, which implicated Babul Akhter, his lawyer filed a non-acceptance petition against it in October of that year. This led to the court ordering a further investigation. Both cases were eventually investigated by the PBI, which submitted a final report on January 25, 2022. The PBI later submitted a charge sheet in September 2022, accusing seven individuals, including Babul Akhter. The Third Additional District and Sessions Judge Court subsequently framed charges against these individuals in March of the following year, initiating the trial.
