Former superintendent of police (SP) Babul Akter, accused in a case lodged over the murder of his wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu, has been released on bail after serving 3.5 years in prison.
He walked out of Chattogram Jail around 5:45pm, Deputy Jailer Md Ibrahim confirmed The Business Standard.
Earlier in the day, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) upheld a High Court order that allowed bail to Babul Akter in Mitu murder case.
After the Appellate Division hearing, Babul’s lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir told reporters that there is no legal bar to releasing Babul Akter following the court’s order.
Babul was arrested on 12 May 2021 as the prime accused in his wife Mitu murder case.
He filed several petitions seeking bail but the court denied each of his requests.
On 27 November, a High Court division bench of Justice Md Atoar Rahman and Justice Md Ali Reza granted Babul six-month interim bail.
However, Mitu’s father Mosharraf Hossain filed an appeal with the chamber court.
After hearing the petition today, Appellate Division Judge-in-Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque issued “no order”.
Babul Akhtar’s Chattogram lawyer Advocate Kofil Uddin stated that there was previously no legal obstacle to Babul Akhtar’s release, and he could have been granted bail on Sunday following the HC bail.
“However, the jail authorities unnecessarily delayed the process, which constitutes an offense under Section 342 of the Penal Code. We have issued a legal notice to the jail authorities regarding this matter. If any member of Babul Akhtar’s family wishes, we are prepared to file a case against the authorities in court,” he added.
On 13 March 2023, Chattogram 3rd Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Jasim Uddin framed charges against seven, including Mitu’s husband Babul Akter, in the sensational murder case.
The other accused in the case are – Motaleb Miah alias Wasim, Anwar Hossain, Ehteshamul Haque Bhola, Shahjahan Miah, Kamrul Islam Shikder Musa and Khairul Islam.
Following the indictment, Babul filed a petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of Chattogram court’s order. The High Court, on 9 May last year, scrapped that petition.
On 13 September 2021, Police Bureau of Investigation filed charge sheet against the seven. The court accepted the charge sheet on 10 October 2021.
Mahmuda Khanam Mitu was brutally murdered in GEC Intersection area in Chattogram city on 5 June 2016.
