Ex-CJ Khairul Haque shown arrested in attempted murder, explosives case

A Dhaka court has approved a petition to show former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque arrested in a case filed under charges of attempted murder and the Explosive Substances Act.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman passed the order today (8 July) after a virtual hearing following an application filed by the investigating officer.

Sub-Inspector Moktar Hossain of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Prosecution Division said the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Saiful Islam of Banani Police Station, filed the application on 2 July.

The hearing, initially set for Monday (6 July), was deferred to 8 July due to unavailable case records and held virtually.

Khairul Haque has remained in jail since his arrest at his Dhanmondi residence on 24 July last year.

Although he secured High Court bail in several cases, he has remained in custody as fresh applications have been filed to show him arrested in new cases.

According to the case statement, on 4 August 2024, during the July Uprising, protesters were demonstrating in front of Setu Bhaban in Mohakhali before marching towards Shahbagh.

They allegedly came under attack and were fired upon, while crude bombs and cocktails were thrown at them, leaving Ujjal Mia and 25 to 30 others injured.

Following the incident, Ujjal filed a case at Banani Police Station under charges of attempted murder and the Explosive Substances Act.

On 28 April, the Appellate Division upheld Khairul's bail in five cases, including those related to the killing of a Jubo Dal activist during the July Uprising, alleged forgery of the caretaker government verdict, and cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

He is on bail in eight cases filed against him. However, the court has now allowed a fresh application to show him arrested in another attempted murder and explosives case.