Tonu murder case: Ex-army officer Hafizur released on bail

Retired army officer Hafizur Rahman, the sole arrested accused in the murder of Comilla college student Sohagi Jahan Tonu, has been released on six-month interim bail granted by the High Court, a decade after the crime took place.

Although the High Court granted him bail on Sunday (August 2), the matter came to light on Tuesday (August 4) evening following his release from Comilla Central Jail after completing legal formalities.

Earlier on Sunday, a High Court bench comprising Justice Zafar Ahmed and Justice Sathika Hossain granted the bail order after hearing his petition. The court also issued a rule asking why Hafizur Rahman should not be granted permanent bail. The relevant respondents were asked to reply to the rule within four weeks.

According to the bail order copy, Deputy Attorney General Shiuli Khanam, Assistant Attorneys General Sabbir Hossain, Mizanur Rahman, Rezaul Karim, and Mir Moniruzzaman represented the state during the hearing. Lawyer Moslem Uddin Bhuiyan represented Hafizur.

When asked about the bail, Deputy Attorney General Shiuli Khanam told reporters she was unaware of the matter, noting that eight law officers serve in that court. Assistant Attorney General Sabbir Hossain stated he learned about the bail order today and added that necessary steps would be taken to seek a stay on the bail once they consult with the Attorney General.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) arrested the 52-year-old former senior warrant officer from his Keraniganj residence in Dhaka on April 21.

On the evening of March 20, 2016, college student Tonu went missing while tutoring at a residence inside Comilla Cantonment. Her body was later discovered in a bush near the cantonment's power house. The murder case has remained under investigation and legal review for years, regaining national attention following Hafizur's arrest.

-SA