The Appellate Division on Monday confirmed the stay on bail to 61 pro-Awami League lawyers in a case filed over the alleged assault and attempted murder of fellow lawyers during July movement.
The High Court in 22 April granted bail to the lawyers and asked the government authorities to explain as to why they should not be granted permanent bail.
Later, the chamber judge stayed the High Court order and sent the matter to the Appellate Division for a full bench hearing.
After holding a hearing on Monday, an Appellate Division bench headed by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the order and directed the High Court to dispose of the matter.
Senior lawyers MK Rahman and Motahar Hossain Saju appeared for the accused lawyers while Additional Attorney General Abdul Jabbar Bhuiyan represented the state.
The case was filed against 144 lawyers affiliated with Awami League over attacks on members of the Dhaka Bar Association, vandalism of lawyers’ chambers, and attempted murder during the July movement.
Later, 115 of the accused secured eight weeks’ bail from the High Court.
After the bail period expired, 83 lawyers surrendered before a Dhaka court on April 6 and sought bail.
The court granted bail to former Dhaka Bar Association president Abu Sayeed Sagar and 18 female lawyers while 61 lawyers were sent to jail as three accused remained absconding.