Ex-MP Akhtaruzzaman freed on bail

Former lawmaker and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman was released from jail on Tuesday after securing bail in a case filed over allegations of disorder, obstruction of official duties and harassment of a security officer at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

He walked out of Dhaka Central Jail this morning after spending more than a month in detention. Hundreds of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists gathered at the jail gate to welcome him.

Earlier on Monday, the Appellate Division’s Chamber Court upheld the bail granted by the High Court to Akhtaruzzaman, clearing the way for his release from jail, dismissing a state petition seeking a stay on the bail order.

According to the case documents, tensions broke out at the airport on October 1 amid complaints of mismanagement, a severe shortage of luggage trolleys, delays in baggage delivery and the unavailability of Zamzam water. The situation escalated into heated exchanges between passengers and protocol assistants.

Security officer Md Shahriar Alam Sajib filed the case with Airport Police Station, accusing Akhtaruzzaman of creating disorder, obstructing official duties and harassing security personnel.

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested Akhtaruzzaman from his residence in the Dhaka Officers' Housing Scheme (DOHS) area on the afternoon of 2 October.

On 3 October, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Albiruni Mir granted police one day's remand for questioning following an application by the investigation officer.

After the remand, Akhtaruzzaman was produced before the court on 4 October. The court rejected his bail petition and ordered that he be sent to jail.

He later challenged the lower court's decision before the High Court, which granted him bail on Sunday.