A Dhaka court has rejected the bail petition of Satkhira-4 MP Gazi Nazrul Islam in a case filed over the alleged abetment of the suicide of his second wife, Mariyam Akter.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam passed the order after a hearing on Wednesday.
State counsel Harun-or-Rashid confirmed the matter.
Defence lawyers Mahbubur Rahman, Mizanur Rahman and others sought bail for Gazi Nazrul, while the prosecution opposed the petition.
The defence argued that Gazi Nazrul was innocent and had no involvement in the incident. They said he was named in the case to harass him and that police arrested him on September 20 after calling him to the police station for questioning.
They also said police had failed to produce any evidence of abetment of suicide despite questioning him during remand.
The bail petition said the complainant and the accused were relatives and had reached a settlement through family discussions. It said Gazi Nazrul, 75, is a veteran politician and freedom fighter who suffers from a serious heart condition. The defence also argued that he has a permanent address and would not go into hiding or leave the country if granted bail.
The complainant’s lawyers also submitted a settlement agreement to the court.
In the agreement, Mariyam’s father said he had initially filed the case against Gazi Nazrul, his first wife Maksuda Islam and Mariyam’s maternal uncle Obaidur Rahman based on his immediate suspicion following his daughter’s death.
He later concluded, after family discussions and considering other information, that Mariyam had not died by suicide at the instigation of Gazi Nazrul or Maksuda. He said he had no objection to the accused being released on bail.
However, state counsel Harun-or-Rashid told the court that the case was not compoundable despite the settlement.
He said the investigation was ongoing and would determine the facts, including whether Mariyam died by suicide or was killed.
The state counsel also said further information could emerge if Obaidur Rahman was arrested and questioned.
Earlier, on September 30, a court granted bail to Gazi Nazrul’s first wife, Maksuda Islam, in the case.
On September 20, police recovered the hanging body of Mariyam Akter from a flat at NAM Bhaban opposite the Parliament complex. Police later took Gazi Nazrul and Maksuda into custody.
That night, Mariyam’s father, SM Masum Billah, filed the case against Gazi Nazrul, Maksuda and Obaidur, accusing them of abetting her suicide.
The following day, a court granted Gazi Nazrul four days’ remand and Maksuda one day’s remand following a petition by Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police Sub-Inspector Md Shamsuzzoha Sarker.
The case was handed over to the Detective Branch that night.
On September 23, a court ordered Obaidur, who had been arrested in the case, to be sent to jail.