Dipu Moni released on parole for husband’s final rites

Former education minister Dipu Moni, who is currently in custody, has been released on 12-hour parole to attend the funeral of her husband, Supreme Court lawyer Taufiq Nawaz.

She was brought to Dhaka from Munshiganj Jail early Thursday (August 20).

Under prison authorities’ supervision, Dipu Moni left for the capital in a van at around 6:15am amid tight security and reached her residence in Kalabagan at about 8:20am.

Fazle Ashik, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kalabagan Police Station, confirmed that Dipu Moni arrived at her residence under security escort. A substantial number of police personnel have been deployed around the house, and she is staying there during the parole period.

Her lawyer, Advocate Gazi Faisal Islam, said an application had initially been submitted seeking four days of parole so she could attend her husband’s final rites. However, the district magistrate approved 12 hours of parole during daylight hours. She will be returned to prison once the authorised period expires.

According to her lawyer, arrangements have been made for Dipu Moni to attend the janaza at Gulshan Azad Mosque, followed by her husband’s burial at Banani Cemetery.

Dipu Moni was arrested from the Baridhara DOHS area on August 19, 2024, following the mass uprising that year, and has since remained in custody at Munshiganj Jail in connection with several cases.

Taufiq Nawaz, an Awami League leader and former minister’s husband, died at a Dhaka hospital on Tuesday night. He was a Supreme Court lawyer.

Security has been strengthened around Dipu Moni’s residence and the surrounding area as she attends her husband’s final rites.