A Dhaka court has rejected the bail petition of actor Ashraful Haque Don for the second time in the case over the death of film star Salman Shah, keeping him in jail.
Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Tauhida Akter rejected the plea on Thursday afternoon. Don’s lawyer, Md Mofizul Islam Aslam, confirmed the development.
Earlier, on 5 October, Metropolitan Magistrate Manjurul Islam had rejected Don’s bail application.
In the latest petition, the defence argued that two inquest reports, two post-mortem reports, the viscera report and the chemical analysis report indicated that Salman Shah had committed suicide. The lawyers also cited Don’s prolonged detention as grounds for granting him bail.
Don was sent to jail on 9 September after a five-day remand.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), however, told the court that Don had withheld important information during questioning. The agency said an analysis of his conduct and movements before, during and after the incident had revealed evidence pointing to his possible involvement in the actor’s death.
In a petition seeking his continued detention, case investigation officer and CID Inspector Md Mujibur Rahman said Don had acknowledged knowing the absconding accused but had concealed significant information about the case.
The petition said that Don had been a close friend of Salman Shah and had regularly spent time with the actor, making him familiar with various aspects of Salman’s life.
According to the CID, Don was evasive when questioned about the actor’s death and the circumstances surrounding the case. The agency said all information gathered was being verified given the case’s high-profile and sensitive nature.
The CID also described Don as shrewd and alleged that he had conc
aled crucial information. It told the court that he might need to be questioned again, with judicial permission, if required for the investigation. The agency argued that he should remain in custody until the investigation was completed.
Don was arrested by immigration police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on 9 August and subsequently sent to jail through a court order.
On 20 August, the investigation officer sought seven days of remand for questioning. The court granted five days of remand on 27 August.
The case concerns allegations that Salman Shah, whose real name was Mohammad Shahriar Imam, was deliberately murdered. His wife, Samira Haque; Samira’s mother, Latifa Haque Leo, also known as Lucy; Don; and eight others have been named as accused.
The court has set 5 November for submission of the investigation report.
