DHAKA, Dec 04, 2024 (BSS) - The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) today maintained a High Court order that allowed bail to former superintendent of police (SP) Babul Akter in a case lodged over the murder of his wife Mahmuda Khanam Mitu.

"No order," said Appellate Division Judge-in-Chamber Justice Md Rezaul Haque after holding hearing on an appeal filed by Mitu's father Mosharraf Hossain.

Babul's lawyer Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir said because of today's order, there is no legal bar in releasing his client from the jail.

A High Court division bench of Justice Md Atoar Rahman and Justice Md Ali Reza on November 27 granted Babul six-month interim bail, considering that he is languishing in jail for last 3.7 years. The court on that day also issued a rule, asking as to why Babul shall not be granted permanent bail in the case.

Babul's lawyer claimed no witness appeared before the court for testifying since July 1. Those who testified in the case earlier, also pleaded to recall their testimonies, saying they were forced to make false depositions under the pressure of then Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) chief Banaz Kumar Mazumder.

Chattogram 3rd Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Jasim Uddin on March 13, 2023, framed charges against seven, including Mitu's husband Babul Akter, in the sensational murder case. The other accused in the case are- Motaleb Miah alias Wasim, Anwar Hossain, Ehteshamul Haque Bhola, Shahjahan Miah, Kamrul Islam Shikder Musa and Khairul Islam.

Babul after that filed the petition with the High Court, challenging the legality of Chattogram court's indictment order. The High Court on May 9, 2023, however, scrapped that petition.

Police Bureau of Investigation on September 13, 2021, filed charge-sheet against the seven. The court on October 10, 2021, accepted it.

Mahmuda Khanam Mitu was brutally murdered in GEC Intersection area in Chattogram city on June 5, 2016.