Ex-MP Major (Retd) Akhtaruzzaman released on bail

Major (Retd) Akhtaruzzaman, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former lawmaker, was released from prison on bail in a case filed over allegations of obstructing official duties at an airport and behaving improperly with an official.

He was released from Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj at around 10am on Tuesday, November 3. Senior Jail Superintendent Faruk Ahmed confirmed the development.

After receiving news of his release, leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami from different levels gathered outside the prison to welcome him. Several central leaders of the party were also present and greeted him with flowers as he came out of the jail.

Earlier, on Sunday, November 1, a High Court bench led by Justice KM Zahid Sarwar granted him bail.

Detectives arrested Akhtaruzzaman from his residence in the Cantonment area of the capital on the evening of October 2. He was produced before a court the following day, which granted police one day's remand for interrogation.

According to the first information report (FIR), several passengers became agitated on October 1 over delays in receiving their luggage from Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-338, which had arrived from Medina, Saudi Arabia.

When the airport's executive director, Group Captain SM Ragib Samad, went to the scene to address the situation, Akhtaruzzaman allegedly misbehaved with him. The FIR also alleged that Akhtaruzzaman verbally abused the official, pushed him by the neck to force him out and threatened to assault him. It further mentioned that he made derogatory remarks about the aviation minister in connection with the same incident.

Akhtaruzzaman, a former member of parliament and freedom fighter, joined Jamaat-e-Islami on December 13 last year ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.