Ex-chief justice Khairul freed after 13 months in jail

Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque, who was detained in nine cases, including those over killings during the July mass uprising in Jatrabari, attempted murder and alleged judicial irregularities, was released from prison on Wednesday after 13 months in custody following bail orders from the Appellate Division.

He was released from Keraniganj Special Jail in Dhaka.

His lawyer, Advocate Motahar Hossain Sazu, confirmed the matter.

Earlier, on August 17, the Chamber Court of the Appellate Division upheld Khairul’s bail in the latest case filed against him. Following the order, his lawyer said he could be released at any time.

On August 10, the High Court granted the former chief justice bail in an attempted murder case filed with Banani Police Station in Dhaka.

Earlier, on July 2, the Chamber Court upheld his bail in a murder case over the death of Khowaib during the anti-discrimination student protests on August 5, 2024. The case was filed with Jatrabari Police Station. He was subsequently shown arrested in the Banani Police Station case.

On May 23, after securing bail in seven separate cases, Khairul was newly shown arrested in the Khowaib murder case.

Khowaib was critically injured in a shooting in Jatrabari. Locals took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors on duty declared him dead.

On November 16, 2024, Khowaib’s brother, Jobayer Ahmed, filed a murder case with Jatrabari Police Station over the incident. The case named 80 people, including Sheikh Hasina, as accused.

Khairul was later shown arrested in a case filed over the killing of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Quayum Ahad in Jatrabari during the July movement.

He was subsequently shown arrested in another case filed in Narayanganj on August 25 last year over allegations of delivering illegal verdicts and fabricating judgments.

On August 27 last year, Supreme Court lawyer Mujahidul Islam Shaheen filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station over alleged forgery related to the verdict concerning the caretaker government system. On August 25, Nurul Islam Molla filed another case with Bandar Police Station in Narayanganj over the same allegation.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) also filed a case in August this year alleging that Khairul had illegally obtained a plot.

Police arrested Khairul from his residence in Dhanmondi on July 24 last year, nearly a year after the fall of the Awami League government.