The New Nation - Internet Edition

Desk Report

The High Court yesterday granted interim bails to Chittagong Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, HRC Group chairman Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury, ex-BNP MPs Manzurul Ahsan Munshi ,Hafiz Ibrahim and ex-BNP whip Ashraf Hossain.

However, the Appellate Division chamber judge stayed the bail of Pro-Awami League Bangladesh Jubo League general secretary Mirza Azam for one month

Mayor Mohiuddin got bail for three months in a graft case on his health ground from a Division Bench of Justice Khademul Islam

Chowdhury and Justice Mashuque Hosain Ahmed. But the Mayor's releaseremains uncertain as he faces other charges of corruption.

Hafiz Ibrahim who secured bail for four months in three criminal cases, including a murder case, may not also be released as there are other cases against him.

HRC Group chairman Sayeed Hossain Chowdhury got bail for three months in the case of violating the Emergency Power Rules. He is facing another case of money laundering.

Manzurul Ahsan Munshi got bail for six months in an extortion case but his release also seems remote because of other cases. Ashraf Hossain secured bail for six months in a case of violating EPR. He was earlier released on bail by a High Court order butrearrested on August 4 soon after he came out of jail.

Except Mohiuddin, other accused got bails from a Division Bench comprising Justice Sharif Uddin Chaklader and Justice M Emdadul Haque Azad. But the Supreme Court stayed for a month operation of the High Court bail to Awami Juba League general secretary and ex-Whip Mirza Azam in a corruption case. Chamber court of Justice M A Matin passed the order upon a plea of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), as it prefers leave to appeal against the High Court orders.

On August 11, the High Court, responding to a petition, granted bail for two months to Mirza Azam and stayed for four weeks the proceedings of the corruption case.

The Bench also had issued rule asking the ACC to explain within four weeks why the case 'should not be quashed'.

Mirza Azam was sent to jail after he surrendered to the Metropolitan Sessions Court here on July 16 following a High Court order.

The HC had asked the former Awami League lawmaker to seek bail on surrender to the trial court as it had already issued arrest warrant against him. ACC deputy director Mobara Khanam filed the case with Ramna police station on January 10, accusing Azam of illegally amassing wealth worth Tk 53.62 lakh and concealing information about his property.

Meanwhile another Division Bench of he High Court stayed for three months the proceedings of the ill-gotten wealth case against detained BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, now abroad on parole for treatment.

The case is now pending with the special court set up in the high-security parliament-building complex that deals with high-profile corruption cases.

Passing the interim order, the Bench comprising Justice Sharif Uddin Chaklader and Justice M Emdadul Haque Azad issued a rule upon the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to explain in four weeks why the case "should not be quashed".

The High Court order came on the day when the trial court was supposed record the testimony by the prosecution witness followed by defence cross-examination.

Earlier on August 7, a special court framed charges against Koko in the corruption case filed for accumulating wealth illegally and

hiding information thereof

This was the first time the charges were framed against the ex-PM's son, who was released on two-month parole on July 17 by an executive order to facilitate his overseas treatment.

Koko is also facing another corruption case, namely Gatco graft case, along with his mother, under the purge in the interim period.