Petition filed to suspend bail of ex-Kurigram DC in journo torture case

A petition has been filed in the Appellate Division seeking suspension of the High Court's bail order for former Kurigram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sultana Parvin, who is currently in jail over the abduction and alleged torture of journalist Ariful Islam Rigan.

The petition was submitted by Advocate Ishrat Hasan, legal counsel for journalist Ariful Islam, to the chamber court of the Appellate Division.

Confirming the development on Wednewsday, Advocate Fayzullah Fayez, lawyer for former DC Sultana, said the petition challenges the six-month bail granted by the High Court on September 9. The bail was issued in connection with a case filed over the alleged midnight raid and torture of Ariful under the guise of a mobile court operation in March 2020.

The bail order was delivered by the High Court bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Yusuf Abdullah Sarker.

Representing Sultana Parvin during the bail hearing were senior lawyers Zainul Abedin, Barrister A.M. Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal, Advocate Fayzullah Fayez, and Barrister Ziaur Rahman. Advocate Ishrat Hasan argued on behalf of journalist Ariful Islam, while Deputy Attorney General Sultana Akter Ruby appeared for the state.

On September 2, the Kurigram District and Sessions Judge, Mosammat Ismat Ara, had rejected Sultana Parvin’s initial bail plea and ordered her to be sent to jail.

The case stems from an incident where journalist Ariful Islam was allegedly picked up from his home around midnight by officials claiming to act under a mobile court. He was reportedly tortured during the detention, triggering widespread criticism and legal action against the former DC and others involved.