Former land minister Rezaul Karim Hira released

Former Member of Parliament for Jamalpur-5 and ex-Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira, 84, who was in police custody, has been released into the care of his wife, Salma Khatun, after signing a bond.

Jamalpur Sadar Police Station released the couple around 11 PM on Tuesday night. Police later escorted them to their home.

Confirming the development, Jamalpur Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge, Abu Faisal Md. Atik, stated, “There are no cases filed against former minister Rezaul Karim Hira. He is mentally disoriented and unable to clearly state his whereabouts. After consulting higher authorities, and taking into account his advanced age and the absence of any legal charges, he was released to the custody of his wife. Her own health condition is also poor.”

Earlier in the day, Hira and his wife had visited the Sherpur District Sub-Registrar’s Office to complete a land sale transaction. There, local BNP activists detained them and notified police. Sherpur police intervened and took Hira into custody, later handing him over to Jamalpur police around 10 PM.

Rezaul Karim Hira served as an Awami League MP from the Jamalpur-5 constituency for five consecutive terms and held the position of Minister of Land in 2009.