Former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy was released from Kashimpur Central Women's Prison on Wednesday night after securing bail in all 12 cases filed against her.
Jailer Shirin Akter confirmed that Ivy was freed at 10:10 pm after prison authorities verified all bail documents and court orders related to the cases. She left the prison around 10:30 pm.
Ivy had remained behind bars following her arrest in multiple cases. Her release came after courts granted her bail in all pending cases, clearing the final legal hurdles to her freedom.
On May 17, the Chamber Court of the Appellate Division upheld a High Court order granting her bail in the final two cases filed with Siddhirganj Police Station, confirming bail in all 12 cases against her.
Earlier, after obtaining bail in 10 cases, Ivy was arrested in two additional cases filed with Siddhirganj Police Station. She was shown arrested in one case on March 2 and another on April 12. The High Court granted her interim bail in both cases on April 30 and issued a rule.
The state later sought to stay the bail orders, but the Chamber Court upheld the High Court's decision.
Senior lawyers Motahar Hossain Saju and SM Siddiqur Rahman represented Ivy during the hearing, assisted by lawyer SM Hridoy Rahman. Deputy Attorney General Syeda Sajia Sharmin appeared for the state.
Bail in earlier cases
Police arrested Ivy from her residence in Deobhog, Narayanganj, in the early hours of May 9 last year. She was later shown arrested in three murder cases and two attempted murder cases linked to incidents during the anti-discrimination movement.
The High Court granted her bail in those five cases on Nov. 9 last year. Although the state challenged the orders before the Appellate Division, the appeals were dismissed on May 10, allowing the bail to remain in force.
After securing bail in those cases, Ivy was shown arrested in five more cases in November last year. Four were murder cases filed with Fatullah Police Station, while the fifth involved allegations of assault and obstructing public officials in the discharge of their duties.
On Feb. 26 this year, the High Court granted her six months' interim bail in those five cases and issued a rule. Although the state again challenged the order, the Appellate Division later withdrew the stay and allowed the High Court's bail order to remain effective.
Lawyer SM Hridoy Rahman said Ivy was released after prison authorities received copies of the High Court's bail orders and the Appellate Division's rulings upholding those orders in all 12 cases.
