A Dhaka court on Thursday has rejected the bail plea of former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in connection with the murder of a Jubo Dal activist during last year’s July uprisimg in the capital's Jatrabari area.
During the bail hearing, Khairul Haque's lawyer, Monayem Nabi Shahin, argued that the case is politically motivated and that his client was arrested merely for harassment.
He pointed out that the murder occurred on July 18, 2024, but the case was not filed until nearly a year later, on July 6, 2024; without any clear explanation for the delay.
Shahin also highlighted Khairul Haque's long-standing security detail. Since his retirement from Chief Justice position on June 17, 2021, Haque had round-the-clock police protection at his residence, including on the day of the alleged incident.
Shahin mentioned that on July 18, 2024, Haque was at Law Commission office for official duties and returned home under police escort; never went to Jatrabari area.
He further emphasized the former Chief Justice's age and health conditions, noting that 81-year-old suffers from various complications and was willing to face trial if granted bail. “He is not a flight risk,” the lawyer added.
Despite the arguments, the court rejected the bail plea.
Khairul Haque was arrested on July 24 from his Dhanmondi residence by detective branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
He was sent to jail later that night. He has also been shown arrested virtually in a separate case filed with Fatulla Police Station in Narayanganj, accusing him of delivering an "illegal" and "forged" verdict to abolish the caretaker government system.
On Wednesday, a Dhaka court granted seven-day police remand in another case filed with Shahbagh Police Station, which accuses Haque of corruption and delivering biased and unlawful judgments during his tenure as a judge.
He is currently in police custody on remand.
