Court Grants Bail to Ex-Speaker

A court in Dhaka has granted bail to former Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in a case filed over an alleged attempted murder linked to Lalbagh Police Station. The order was issued on Sunday by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in the capital following a hearing.

According to the court order, bail was granted on health grounds and upon submission of a bond of 50,000 Bangladeshi taka. The court also considered her medical condition while approving the petition.

Court sources confirmed that Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was not physically produced before the court on the day of the hearing. Her legal representative, Advocate Ibnul Kawser, submitted the bail application on her behalf. The prosecution opposed the request, arguing against granting bail. After an extended hearing from both sides, the court ultimately ruled in favour of the defence.

Legal officials indicated that there would be no legal obstacle to her release, provided there are no other pending detention orders in different cases.

Earlier developments in the case show that she was arrested in the early hours of 6 April from a residence in the Dhanmondi area of Dhaka. Following her arrest, she was taken to the Detective Branch office. On 7 April, she was formally shown arrested in connection with the attempted murder case filed with Lalbagh Police Station and subsequently produced before the court. At that time, the investigating officer sought a two-day remand along with detention in custody. However, the court rejected both the remand and bail petitions and ordered her to be sent to jail.

The case itself stems from allegations surrounding an incident on 18 July 2024, during which a reported attack took place amid a procession inside the Azimpur Government Colony area under Lalbagh Police Station. The complainant, Md Ashraful alias Fahim, claimed that he was participating in a political movement when the attack occurred. It is alleged that coordinated violence, including gunfire, was carried out, leaving him seriously injured.

Medical records presented in connection with the case indicate that Ashraful suffered multiple gunshot injuries to various parts of his body. He reportedly sustained severe trauma to his left eye, along with injuries to his head, face, and arms. Initial treatment was provided at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, after which he underwent further specialised care at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and later at the Combined Military Hospital.

The case was officially filed on 17 July 2025 at Lalbagh Police Station. The complainant alleged that during a period of political unrest, an organised attack was carried out on unarmed protesters.

The defence, however, has consistently argued that there is no direct, credible evidence linking Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury to the alleged incident. Her lawyers stated before the court that the investigation remains ongoing and that the accusations have not yet been substantiated.

Key Timeline of Events

Following the court’s decision, the matter has drawn significant attention in legal and political circles, although further procedural details regarding the next steps in the case have not yet been officially disclosed.