The High Court on Tuesday (May 6) asked the government to explain why Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta should not be granted bail in a case linked to the killing of a man during the student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024.

The bench of Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja issued the rule after hearing Dutta’s bail petition.

The case, filed by a man named Sabuj Miah at Bhasantek police station on September 11 last year, accuses 165 individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Shyamal Dutta is the 28th accused and is alleged to have ordered the killing of Fazlur Rahman during the protests.

Shyamal Dutta and Ekattor TV managing director Mozammel Babu were arrested on September 16, 2024, while reportedly attempting to cross into India through the Dhobaura border in Mymensingh district. 

Police later showed them arrested in multiple cases related to the deadly unrest in July.

Earlier, two separate High Court benches issued similar rules in February and April, seeking the government’s explanation for denying bail to Babu in two related murder cases. 

Those rulings remain pending, as the state has not yet submitted its responses. 

According to lawyer Nazmus Sakib, Babu is facing four separate cases tied to the July incidents. 

Bail hearings in the other two cases are ongoing at the lower courts, with decisions expected later this week.

On August 6, a day after the protests, Dutta, along with his wife and daughter, was reportedly barred from entering India through the Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria.

Senior lawyer ZI Khan Panna and his associate Nazmus Sakib represented Dutta and Babu during Tuesday’s hearing.

SMS/