Ex-Chief Justice Khairul Haque shown arrested in attempted murder, explosives case

A Dhaka court on Wednesday (July 8) approved a petition to show former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque arrested in a case filed under the Explosives Act and on charges of attempted murder over an attack during the July 2024 mass uprising.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman passed the order following a virtual hearing, prosecution officials confirmed.

According to the prosecution, the investigating officer of Banani Police Station submitted the petition on July 2 seeking to show Khairul Haque arrested in the case. The hearing, initially scheduled for July 6, was deferred due to the unavailability of case documents before being heard virtually on Wednesday.

The case stems from an incident on August 4, 2024, when protesters marching from the Setu Bhaban area in Mohakhali towards Shahbag allegedly came under attack. The complaint alleges that gunfire, cocktails and crude bombs were used, leaving 25 to 30 people, including complainant Ujjal Mia, injured. The case was later filed with Banani Police Station under charges of attempted murder and the Explosives Act.

Khairul Haque has remained in custody since his arrest from his Dhanmondi residence on July 24 last year. Although he secured bail in multiple cases from higher courts, he has not been released as authorities continued to seek his arrest in newly filed cases.

On April 28, the Appellate Division upheld his bail in eight cases, including allegations related to the killing of a Jubo Dal activist during the July uprising, alleged fraud involving the caretaker government verdict, and five cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).