No longer seeking bail, urge to go home has faded: Dipu Moni

Former Education Minister Dipu Moni has informed the International Crimes Tribunal that she is withdrawing her bail petition. She stated that she has been in prison for two years and no longer feels the urgency to return home, as her husband, Tawfiq Nawaz, passed away after a prolonged illness.

Dipu Moni was produced before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Thursday, August 27, in a case related to crimes against humanity. Her bail hearing was scheduled for the day.

Before the hearing began, Dipu Moni took permission to speak and said, "I have been incarcerated for two years. My bail petition was filed last April. I no longer seek bail. I want to withdraw my bail application. The urge to go home is gone."

She added, "During the previous bail hearing, the tribunal asked what I would do if I got bail and went home. But now there is no need to go home."

Dipu Moni informed the court that her husband, Tawfiq Nawaz, had been bedridden for seven years and had lost his ability to speak. She said he would communicate by blinking his eyes. She also mentioned that she had cared for her ill husband for five years while performing her official duties.

She said her husband had to be hospitalised four months ago as his health deteriorated. "I filed for bail to be by his side in his final moments, but I couldn't be with my life partner of 39 years at the end," she said.

The tribunal expressed sympathy for Dipu Moni's situation but noted that the court must consider many factors in bail decisions. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumder, adjourned the bail hearing until September 17.