The High Court on Monday granted interim bail to former chief justice Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in a case filed with Banani Police Station under the Penal Code.
A High Court bench comprising Justice KM Zahid Sarwar and Sheikh Abu Taher passed the order after hearing the bail application. The court also issued a rule asking why Khairul should not be granted regular bail in the case.
Deputy Attorney General Syeda Shajia Sharmin represented the state during the hearing, while lawyers Md Munsurul Hoque Chowdhury, Motahar Hossain Saju, and Monayem Nobi Shahin stood for the petitioner.
Lawyer Monayem Nobi said the court has issued a rule, and Khairul Haque has been granted bail in Banani Police Station case until the disposal of the rule.
He added that there are nine cases in total against Khairul, and he has already obtained bail in eight of them. With bail now granted in this final case, there is no legal impediment to his release from prison.
Following his bail in the separate eight cases, the investigation officer applied to show Khairul arrested in Banani Police Station case on 2 July. He was arrested in the case on 8 July. After a lower court rejected his bail application on 27 July, Khairul filed a petition with the High Court on 9 August, which was heard and decided on Monday.
According to the case details, on 4 August 2024, protesters gathered in front of Setu Bhaban in Mohakhali, Dhaka. While they were heading towards Shahbagh, they were attacked, shot at, and targeted with crude bombs.
Between 25 to 30 people, including one Uzzal Mia, were injured in the incident. Uzzal Mia subsequently filed the case with Banani Police Station.
Meanwhile, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has disposed of a state petition against a High Court order directing authorities not to arrest or harass Khairul Haque without a specific case.
A four-member Appellate Division bench led by the chief justice passed this order on 9 August. Consequently, the High Court directive not to arrest or harass Khairul without a specific case remains in force solely for him, according to lawyers.
Khairul was appointed the country’s 19th chief justice on 27 September 2010, with his appointment taking effect on 30 September of the same year. He retired on 17 May 2011.
Following his retirement, he served three terms as the chairman of Law Commission. He resigned from the post on 13 August 2024, following the fall of Awami League.
On 24 July 2025, police arrested him from his Dhanmondi residence. He was sent to jail after being shown arrested in a murder case filed with Jatrabari Police Station over the death of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Kaiyum Ahad, and has been in prison since then.
He was later shown arrested in several other cases. He currently faces charges of murder, attempted murder, forging the verdict on the caretaker government system, and corruption.
