The High Court on Monday granted bail to Dhaka University Professor Hafizur Rahman Curzon in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Shahbagh police station, clearing the way for his release from prison, lawyers said.
The bench of Justice Md Rasheduzzaman Raja and Justice Md Rezaul Karim passed the order. Lawyer Ali Ahmed Khokon confirmed the development.
On August 29, a Dhaka court ordered former textiles and jute minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Professor Curzon, and 16 others to be sent to jail in the case.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque issued the order after Shahbagh police Sub-Inspector Md Amirul Islam filed the case.
The other accused are Md Abdullah Al Amin, 73; Manjurul Alam, 49; Kazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, 72; Golam Mostafa, 81; Md Mohiul Islam alias Babu, 64; Md Zakir Hossain, 74; Md Toushiful Bari Khan, 72; Md Amir Hossain Sumon, 37; Md Al Amin, 40; Md Nazmul Ahsan, 35; Syed Shahed Hasan, 36; Md Shafiqul Islam Delwar, 64; Dewan Mohammad Ali, 50; and Md Abdullahil Qayyum, 61.
That day, the investigating officer, SI Toufiq Hasan, sought to keep the accused in jail. Defence lawyers sought bail, while Additional Public Prosecutor Shamsuddoha Sumon opposed. The court then rejected the bail plea and sent them to prison.
According to the case statement, a roundtable discussion was held at 10am on August 28 at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium under the banner of “Manch 71.” During the event, Abdul Latif Siddiqui allegedly made a “conspiratorial speech” inciting armed struggle to destabilize the country and overthrow the interim government. Police later detained 16 of the 70–80 participants.
During interrogation, police claimed that although Manch 71, launched on August 5, promoted itself as a platform to “prepare the people for self-sacrifice to counter conspiracies to distort the history of the Liberation War,” its activities allegedly involved plotting to overthrow the government.
