DHAKA: The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has stayed a High Court decision that granted bail to actress Shomi Kaiser in connection with an attempted murder case involving businessman Ishtiak Mahmud. The matter is set for further review by the full bench of the apex court on January 6. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Justice Md Rezaul Haque, an Appellate Division Judge-in-Chamber, issued the stay order following an appeal from the state against the High Court's December 10 decision to grant interim bail to Kaiser. The legal proceedings stem from a July 18 incident during an anti-discrimination student movement rally, where Mahmud was allegedly attacked. Case documents reveal that Mahmud was participating in the rally near Azampur Nawab Habibullah High School in Uttara Sector-4 when alleged Awami League supporters fired on the crowd. Mahmud was struck by a bullet in the abdomen and required medical treatment at Evercare Hospital. The case, filed by Mahmud on September 29 at Uttara East Pol ice Station, lists 126 individuals as defendants, including former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun. The stay on Kaiser's bail will remain until the matter is revisited by the court next month.
