DHAKA: Eight prominent Jamaat leaders, including party’s acting Secretary-General ATM Azharul Islam, got anticipatory bail for four months in a case filed on charge of impeding police duties during the arrest of Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami.

A High Court bench compressing Justice Mohammad Afzal Hossain Ahmed and Justice Mohammad Abdul Hafiz Tuesday issued the bail orders upon their appeal.

The bench also issued a rule upon the government to explain within three weeks why the accused “should not be given regular bail”.

The other leaders set at large are Jamaat publicity secretary Tasnim Alam, assistant secretaries-general Advocate Jasim Uddin Sarker and Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, secretary of national doctors forum Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Shibir president of Dhaka University Anisur Rahman, Shibir secretary Obayed and Dhaka city Jamaat secretary Nurul Islam Bulbul.

Barrister Abdur Razzak fought for the petitioners while Deputy Attorney-General MA Mannan Mohan and Additional Attorney-General Mamtaz Uddin Fakir were on state side.

Shahbagh police filed the case on June 29 against the leaders in Jamaat’s middle order who now actually call the shot after the arrest of the three top-brass ones: Nizami, Mojahid and Sayedee.

BDST: 07:00 HRS, July 6, 2010.