Defense counsel seeks bail for former energy advisor Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury citing delayed investigation by international crimes tribunal

The defense counsel for Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, former energy adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has filed a petition for his bail before the International Crimes Tribunal-1. The motion, submitted on Thursday, asserts that the investigation agency has failed to submit a report despite the passage of nearly two years.

Advocate Mostafizur Rahman Khan, representing the accused, argued before the tribunal that his client has been incarcerated since September 2024 without a formal investigative report being filed. He noted that legal statutes mandate the conclusion of investigations within one year, with a possible six-month extension under specific, justified circumstances. He argued that since that period has elapsed, the court has the legal grounds to grant bail.

During the hearing, the defense proposed that the tribunal could grant bail under strict conditions, similar to those imposed on former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque. These conditions could include travel bans and restrictions on speaking to the media. The defense further emphasized that the tribunal possesses the discretion to grant bail to elderly defendants, particularly when investigations face significant delays.

In response, the prosecution informed the tribunal that they intend to submit the investigation report within the next 15 days.

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Addressing the court directly, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury challenged the prosecution’s request for additional time, noting that similar assurances of a one-month deadline were provided during previous hearings. He urged the tribunal to reach a final decision rather than granting further extensions.

Following the arguments from both sides, the tribunal adjourned the proceedings and set September 17 as the date for the next bail hearing.