HC grants bail to journalist couple Shakil-Rupa in multiple cases

The High Court has granted bail to journalist couple Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa in multiple cases filed over the July mass uprising.

A bench comprising Justice K M Zahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher passed the order on Monday (May 11) after hearing bail petitions in seven cases against the couple.

According to court officials, Farzana Rupa secured bail in six cases, while Shakil Ahmed was granted bail in five.

However, they will remain behind bars for now as the court the court rejected their bail pleas in one case each and issued rules.

Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua represented the accused during the hearing, while Additional Attorney General Aneek R Haque appeared for the state. Deputy Attorney General Ashikuzzaman Nazrul and Assistant Attorney General Md. Al Amin also took part in the proceedings.

The court had earlier fixed May 11 for its order after concluding hearings on April 21 in seven cases, including multiple murder cases linked to the July uprising. The order date was later deferred following a request from the state.

Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa were detained from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on August 21, 2024.

The following day, a court granted four days’ remand in the Fazlul Karim murder case filed with Uttara East Police Station. On August 26, they were again placed on a five-day remand in the Rubel murder case filed with Adabor Police Station involving a garment worker. Later, on August 31, the court ordered them to be sent to jail in that case.

Lawyers involved in the matter said the couple’s release now depends on the outcome of the remaining pending cases.