Eminent economist Professor Abul Barkat has been released from prison after securing bail in a case filed over the murder of businessman Abdul Wadud during July Mass Uprising in capital’s Nilkhet area.
Jannatul Farhad, assistant inspector general (Media) of the Prisons Department, confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune on Sunday morning.
He said Prof Barkat was released from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj on Thursday after prison authorities received a copy of the court’s bail order.
Earlier on June 16, the court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman granted his bail following a hearing. Public Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon confirmed the court order.
Prof Barkat was formally shown arrested in the Abdul Wadud murder case on June 14. His lawyer subsequently filed a bail petition, but the court ordered that he be sent to jail and set June 15 for a hearing on the matter.
On June 15, a bail application filed before the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Kamal Uddin was rejected. The following day, however, the court granted Prof Barkat bail on a bond of Tk 5,000 until the police investigation report was submitted.
During the hearing, defence counsel Advocate Shahinur Islam argued that there was no clear evidence linking his client to the incident. He also urged the court to consider Prof Barkat’s advanced age and health condition in deciding the bail petition.
On the other hand, State Prosecutor Shamsuddoha Suman opposed the bail application.
According to case documents, businessman Abdul Wadud was shot dead during the protests in the Nilkhet area under New Market police station on the afternoon of 19 July 2024. Following the incident, his brother-in-law, Abdur Rob, filed a murder case with New Market police station.
The case names 130 people as accused, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader and Abul Barkat was in the list.
