A Dhaka court has granted bail for economist Prof Abul Barkat in the murder case of businessman Abdul Wadud, who was killed at Dhaka’s Nilkhet during the July Uprising.
Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman granted the bail prayer on Tuesday after hearing.
The decision was confirmed by state counsel Shamsuddoha Suman.
The ruling comes after an earlier order on Sunday by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Monirul Islam, who directed that Professor Barkat be shown arrested in the murder case and sent to jail custody.
Professor Barkat was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on the night of 10 July from his residence on Road 3 in Dhanmondi. He was initially sent to jail in connection with a case involving the alleged embezzlement of Tk 297 crore from Janata Bank through AnonTex Group.
Although the Appellate Division granted him bail in the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) case on 7 June, he remained in custody after being shown arrested in the Nilkhet murder case.
During that period, Inspector Amjad Hossain Talukdar of the DB Ramna Zonal Team submitted an application to show him arrested in the case.
According to the application, it is alleged that on the day of the incident, Professor Barkat provided financial assistance and instructions to local leaders of the Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League and Swechhasebak League in the Dhaka University area to suppress the anti-discrimination student movement.
The case concerns the killing of businessman Abdul Wadud, who was shot dead on the afternoon of 19 July 2024 during clashes in the Nilkhet area of New Market.
The case was filed at New Market Police Station by the victim’s brother-in-law, Abdur Rab, naming 130 individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader, among the accused.
