Ivy pleads not guilty after appearing before court

Former Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy appeared before a court on Tuesday in connection with a case over an alleged attack on a police convoy, maintaining that she is innocent.

The court later allowed her to be represented by her lawyers at future hearings instead of appearing in person.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Ivy said: “Despite being innocent, I am being treated as a criminal. I have always spoken out against killings, injustice and oppression in Narayanganj. Am I the criminal today? Allah and the people of Narayanganj will judge this.”

She appeared before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Nurul Huda Chowdhury in Narayanganj on Tuesday (July 28) to comply with the scheduled hearing in the case.

According to court sources, Ivy completed the required legal formalities during her appearance.

Court Police Inspector Abdus Salam confirmed that Ivy had already secured bail in the Narayanganj Sadar Police Station case. He said her lawyers sought permission for future appearances to be made on her behalf, and the court granted the request.

Defence lawyer Awlad Hossain said Ivy had previously obtained bail from the High Court, after which the matter was taken to the Chamber Court. The Appellate Division's full bench later disposed of the bail rule.

He added that, considering Ivy's prolonged detention, health condition and the overall law and order situation, an application had been filed at the previous hearing seeking permission for legal representation instead of her personal appearance.

Following Tuesday's hearing, the court approved the request, allowing her lawyers to appear on her behalf until the case is transferred to the trial court.

According to the case documents, Ivy was arrested from her residence in the Deobhog area of Narayanganj in the early hours of 9 May last year. She was later named in the case alleging an attack on a police convoy during her arrest.

She was subsequently shown arrested in a total of 12 cases, including three murder cases and two attempted murder cases linked to the anti-discrimination student-led movement. After spending an extended period in custody, she was released on bail on June 3 this year.