HC asks why ex-CJ Khairul Haque shouldn't be granted bail in 5 cases

The High Court (HC) on Sunday issued a rule asking the government to explain why former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque should not be granted bail in five separate cases, including one over the murder of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Kaiyum Ahad.

A bench comprising Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice Md Sagir Hossain issued the rule after hearing a bail petition filed by the former chief justice.

Senior Advocate Mansurul Haque Chowdhury appeared on behalf of Khairul Haque, while Attorney General Md Khairuzzaman represented the state. Barrister M Sarwar Hossain stood for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which, along with the state, has been made a respondent to the rule.

Earlier, on July 24, police arrested the former Chief Justice from his Dhanmondi residence in connection with the Abdul Kaiyum Ahad killing case. He was later shown arrested in another case filed in Narayanganj, followed by a separate case lodged by Supreme Court lawyer Zahidul Islam Shahin at Shahbagh Police Station on August 27.

Two additional cases were later filed against him, bringing the total to five. Separate bail petitions for all five cases were submitted to the High Court on October 20.

Khairul Haque served as the 19th Chief Justice of Bangladesh, taking oath on September 30, 2010, and retiring on May 17, 2011.

In the final years of the Awami League administration, he also held the position of Law Commission chairman, a role from which he resigned on August 13, shortly after the government’s fall.