Court rejects bail for MP Gazi Nazrul Islam

A Dhaka court on Sunday (October 11) rejected the bail petition of Satkhira-4 lawmaker Gazi Nazrul Islam in a case filed over the alleged abetment of suicide of his second wife, Maryam Khatun.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Albiruni Mir passed the order, confirmed Mohammad Shamsuddoha Sumon, an additional public prosecutor of the Dhaka Metropolitan Court.

This was the second time the court rejected Nazrul’s bail plea. During an earlier hearing, the defence submitted a settlement agreement with Maryam’s family, but the prosecution argued that the case could not be disposed of through a compromise.

The court had previously observed that Maryam, aged 19, allegedly died while in the lawmaker’s custody at a flat near the Parliament building. It cautioned that granting bail based on a settlement could undermine public confidence in the law.

Maryam’s father, S M Masum Billah, who filed the case, had said he wanted justice for his daughter but signed the settlement to preserve family ties. He had also blamed Maryam’s maternal uncle, Obaidur Rahman, for her death.

Maryam’s body was recovered from a flat in the NAEM building on September 20. Her father subsequently filed the case against Nazrul, his first wife Maksuda Islam and Obaidur Rahman.

Nazrul was placed on remand for a total of eight days in two phases before being sent to jail on September 28. On September 30, the court granted bail to Maksuda but rejected Nazrul’s application. His latest bail plea was also rejected on Sunday. 

M. A. L/AH