Fresh case blocks ex-CJ Khairul's release despite SC bail

Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque remained behind bars on Thursday after police sought permission to show him arrested in a fresh case, hours after the Appellate Division upheld his bail in eight cases linked to a killing during the July 2024 mass uprising.

The Banani Police submitted an application to a Dhaka magistrate's court seeking to show the 80-year-old former chief justice arrested in a case filed under the Explosive Substances Act on November 25, 2025.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ziadur Rahman fixed July 6 for hearing the police plea and issued a production warrant directing the senior superintendent of Dhaka Central Jail to produce Khairul before the court on that day.

Earlier in the day, Appellate Division Chamber Judge Justice Md Rezaul Haque declined to stay a High Court order granting Khairul six months' bail in the eight cases, effectively allowing the bail order issued on June 30 to remain in force.

Following the Supreme Court order, the Appellate Division communicated its decision to the Dhaka Central Jail authorities.
 
However, jail officials informed Khairul's son, Ashiq-ul Haque, that the former chief justice would not be released because a production warrant had already been issued in connection with the Banani police station case.

The eight cases in which Khairul secured bail are linked to the death of a man during violence in Jatrabari amid the July 2024 mass uprising.

The High Court had earlier granted Khairul bail in seven other related cases on different dates. The government challenged those orders before the Appellate Division, but the apex court allowed the High Court's decisions to stand.

The latest police move means the former chief justice will remain in custody pending the court's decision on the fresh arrest application.