Rangpur Metropolitan Acting District and Sessions Judge Marzia Islam granted bail to Begum Rokeya University teacher Mahmudul Haque in a murder case on Sunday evening. He was released from jail at around 6pm.
Earlier in the day, a bail petition was filed at Rangpur Metropolitan Court-1 (Hajirhat Magistrate Court), where the hearing was scheduled for Tuesday. However, citing Mahmudul’s deteriorating health condition, his lawyers submitted an urgent bail application to the District and Sessions Court at 4:30pm. The judge granted interim bail until police submit the charge sheet, considering humanitarian grounds.
Upon his release, Mahmudul was greeted by his wife, son, and lawyers, along with student activists including Shahriar, former coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement. He was immediately taken to hospital in an ambulance for medical treatment.
Lawyer Shamim Al Mamun stated, “Jail authorities themselves informed the court about his critical health condition, which influenced the bail decision.” Shahriar expressed relief at his teacher’s release but demanded proper investigation into what he called “baseless charges.”
Police arrested Mahmudul from his residence last Thursday under Hajirhat Police Station, where 54 people including him were accused in a murder case during last August’s anti-discrimination protests. The complainant, Amena Begum, alleged her husband was killed during the demonstrations.
Mahmudul serves as assistant professor in the Mass Communication and Journalism department. His arrest had sparked protests from students and colleagues who maintain the charges are politically motivated.