C T Online Desk: Former superintendent of police (SP) Babul Akter, arrested in connection with the murder of his wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu, was not released on Monday, the second day after his bail document arrived at the prison.
As of 6:30pm on Monday, his release had not been granted.
Earlier, his bail order was delivered to the prison at 4:30pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in response to the delay in Babul Akter’s release, his lawyer, Mohammad Kafil Uddin Chowdhury, sent a legal notice to the Senior Jail Superintendent Mohammad Iqbal Hossain and Jailor Mohammad Masud Hossain Jewel of Chittagong Central Jail.
He said: “Babul Akter’s bail document arrived at the jail on Sunday afternoon. However, the prison authorities did not release him until Sunday evening, which is a clear violation of regulations. Upon the family’s request, today we have sent a legal notice to the jail superintendent and jailor. Initially, we tried to deliver it by hand, but the prison authorities did not accept it. Later, we sent it by post. As per the regulations, Babul Akter has not been released, and his family will take legal action on Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, Senior Jail Superintendent Mohammad Iqbal Hossain said: “We received an order from the High Court, which states that a hearing on the suspension of the bail will be held on Tuesday. Until then, Babul Akter cannot be released, and we must comply with the court’s directive.”
In the hope of Babul Akter’s release, his current wife Mukta, along with several family members and supporters, waited at the jail gate from Monday morning.
Babul Akter’s other lawyer, Mamunul Haque Chowdhury, said: “As of Monday evening, Babul Akter has not been released. Even though his bail order reached the jail, his release was delayed, which is a violation of the law.”
Earlier, on Wednesday, the High Court granted Babul Akter bail.
Court sources revealed that the case of his wife’s murder is currently at the witness testimony recording stage, with 53 of the 97 witnesses having testified so far.
On June 5, 2016, Mahmuda Khanam Mitu was murdered near the GEC intersection in Chittagong city while dropping their son Akhtar Mahmood Mahir at school.
In this case, her husband Babul Akter filed a case against three individuals at Panchlaish police station.
The investigation was initially carried out by Panchlaish police, and later by the Detective Branch.
In January 2020, upon court order, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) took over the investigation.
Subsequently, the direction of the investigation changed, and PBI uncovered that Babul Akter himself was the main accused in the murder of his wife.
In September 2022, PBI submitted a charge sheet in the court, naming seven individuals, including Babul, as accused.
The court accepted the charge sheet on October 10 of the same year.
