A total of 93 lawyers aligned with the ruling Awami League have surrendered to the court and applied for bail in a case filed at the Kotwali Police Station.
The case involves allegations of assault, vandalism, and attempted murder during an anti-discrimination movement.
On Sunday, they submitted their bail petitions at the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Zakir Hossain Galib. The hearing is scheduled for 2pm.
Among the petitioners are former Dhaka Bar Association presidents Abu Sayeed Sagar, Saidur Rahman Manik, Gazi Shah Alam, Mahbubur Rahman, Asaduzzaman Rochi, Public Prosecutor of the Cyber Tribunal Nazrul Islam Shamim, and Morshed Hossain Shaheen.
Lawyer Morshed Hossain Shaheen, one of the accused, confirmed the matter, stating, “I have represented over a hundred leaders and activists of the Awami League in court. That’s why this case has been filed against me. I believe this goes against the rule of law and justice.”
According to reports, on August 4 of last year, during the anti-discrimination movement, an incident of attack on lawyers, chamber vandalism, and attempted murder occurred on the court premises. In response, on February 6, Mohammad Ali Babu, an executive member of the Lawyers’ Association, filed a case at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court against 144 pro-Awami League lawyers.
Previously, 115 of the accused had secured eight weeks of bail from the High Court, which is set to expire tomorrow, April 7.
The accused in the case include Kazi Nazibullah Hiru, Legal Affairs Secretary of the Awami League; former Public Prosecutor of the Dhaka Metropolitan Court Md Abdullah Abu; former Bar Association President Mohammad Mokhlesur Rahman Badol; Md Saidur Rahman Manik; Md Mizanur Rahman Mamun; Abdur Rahman Hawlader; Gazi Md Shah Alam; Abdul Baten; Mahbubur Rahman; former General Secretary Khandaker Golam Kibria Zubayer; Mohammad Anwar Shahadat Shawon; Md Firozur Rahman Montu; Md Asaduzzaman Khan Rochi; and former Member of Parliament Sanjida Khanam.
The complaint alleges that on August 4, during the anti-discrimination movement, the accused created panic in front of the Dhaka Bar Association office by gathering with illegal weapons and sticks. They reportedly detonated explosives while chanting: “Sheikh Hasina is not afraid, we have not left the streets.”
According to the complaint, after finishing a court hearing, one of the victim's lawyers was coming out in front of the Dhaka Bar Association building when accused Anwar Shahadat Shawon, wearing a helmet, pointed a pistol at him with the intent to kill.
