Don denied bail in Salman Shah murder case

Actor Ashraful Haque Don, who is in jail in connection with the murder case of film star Salman Shah, has been denied bail by a Dhaka metropolitan sessions court. 

Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Tauhida Akter rejected his bail petition on Thursday afternoon. 

Earlier, on October 5, Metropolitan Magistrate Monzurul Islam rejected a similar bail plea. Don’s lawyer, Md Mofizul Islam Aslam, confirmed the latest order.

In the bail petition, the defence argued that two inquest reports, two autopsy reports, and the viscera and chemical examination reports indicated that Salman Shah had died by suicide. The lawyers also cited Don’s prolonged detention as a ground for bail.

Don was sent to jail on September 9 after five days of remand. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told the court that he had withheld important information during interrogation. Investigators said an analysis of his conduct before, during and after Salman Shah’s death had yielded evidence that required further investigation into his alleged involvement.

In its application seeking his continued detention, the CID said Don had acknowledged knowing the absconding accused but had concealed information relevant to the case. As a close friend of Salman Shah, he was reportedly aware of various aspects of the actor’s life.

The CID also said Don had been evasive during questioning and might need to be interrogated again with court permission if necessary. Investigators argued that he should remain in custody until the investigation was completed.

Don was arrested by immigration police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on August 9. On August 27, a court granted the CID five days to interrogate him after investigators initially sought a seven-day remand.

Meanwhile, the court has set November 5 for submission of the investigation report in the case filed over the alleged planned murder of actor Mohammad Shahriar, popularly known as Salman Shah. Eleven people, including his wife Samira Haque, her mother Latifa Haque Leo, also known as Lucy, and Don, have been accused in the case.