A hearing on the bail application of Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, the power, energy and mineral resources adviser to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was held at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The hearing took place on Thursday before the International Crimes Tribunal-1. Advocates Sheikh Ali Ahmed Khokon and Mostafizur Rahman Khan argued in favour of the bail petition.
During the hearing, Advocate Khokon said that under Section 9(5) of the International Crimes Tribunal Act, a formal investigation must be completed within one year. If the investigation is not finished within this timeframe, an additional extension of up to six months can be granted for the investigation. If the prosecution still fails to submit the investigation report to the court within this extended period, the court may grant conditional bail.
Advocate Khokon argued that since Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has been in prison since 11 September 2024, the statutory investigation period in his case expired long ago. He added that bail could be granted in consideration of Chowdhury’s physical condition, age, and his contributions during the Liberation War.
On behalf of the prosecution, Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim requested an additional two months of time to submit the investigation report.
Following arguments from both sides, the court fixed 17 September as the date for submitting the investigation report. The hearing on the bail application will resume on that day.
Chowdhury was arrested by the police on 11 September 2024 and was subsequently shown arrested in a case involving crimes against humanity on 27 September.
An investigation is currently ongoing in this case, and there are initially four allegations against him. Earlier, on 8 May 2025, the tribunal had rejected his bail application.
