Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque released from prison on bail
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Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque was released on bail from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj on Wednesday afternoon, following more than a year in custody. His lawyer, Motahar Hossain Saju, confirmed the release took place at approximately 4:15 p.m.
Justice Haque, who served as the Chief Justice of Bangladesh from September 30, 2010, to May 17, 2011, had been detained since his arrest at his Dhanmondi residence on July 24 of last year. He was subsequently implicated in a case concerning the death of Juba Dal activist Abdul Kaiyum Ahad, which allegedly occurred during the July mass uprising in the Jatrabari area of Dhaka.
Facing a total of nine legal cases, Justice Haque has now secured bail in all matters. His release followed a significant legal development on August 17, when the Chamber Court of the Appellate Division issued a “no order” status regarding an appeal filed by the state against a High Court bail order granted in a case at Banani Police Station. This decision cleared the final hurdle for his discharge from prison.
Following his release, Justice Haque returned to his residence in Dhanmondi.
The legal proceedings leading to his freedom involved complex litigation. On May 13, a writ petition was filed with the High Court to challenge the practice of repeatedly showing him arrested in new cases after he had already secured bail in others. On May 17, the High Court issued a rule directing authorities to refrain from arresting or harassing Justice Haque in any cases other than those specifically identified.
The state subsequently filed an appeal and a leave to appeal against that directive. On August 9, the Appellate Division disposed of the leave to appeal and ordered that the High Court rule be heard and resolved expeditiously. As a condition of his judicial relief, the Appellate Division specified that Justice Haque is prohibited from leaving the country without prior permission from the relevant court. Legal representatives have noted that with the disposal of the leave to appeal, the High Court’s initial protection against arbitrary arrest and harassment remains in effect.
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