The High Court of Bangladesh has granted interim bail to former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy in two separate murder cases filed with Siddhirganj Police Station, marking a significant development in a series of ongoing legal proceedings against her.
The order was issued on Thursday by a High Court bench comprising Justice K M Jahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher. Alongside granting interim bail, the court also issued a rule asking the state to explain why the proceedings relating to her detention and being shown arrested in the cases should not be declared without lawful authority and in violation of fundamental rights.
According to court sources, the decision came after hearing two separate bail petitions filed by Ivy. Senior advocate Sara Hossain and advocate Motahar Hossain Saju represented her, while advocate S M Hridoy Rahman assisted the defence team. Deputy Attorney General Syeda Sazia Sharmin appeared on behalf of the state.
Case documents show that the two murder cases in question were filed on 11 September 2024 and 30 June 2025 at Siddhirganj Police Station. Ivy was subsequently shown arrested in these cases on 2 March and 12 April of the current year. After failing to secure bail from subordinate courts, she approached the High Court separately in each matter.
This development adds to a complex legal trajectory involving multiple cases. Ivy was first arrested in the early hours of 9 May 2024 from her residence in Deobhog, Narayanganj. Following that arrest, she was shown detained in connection with three murder cases and two attempted murder cases linked to anti-discrimination student–public protests. Although the High Court granted her bail in five of those cases on 9 November 2024, the Appellate Division later stayed the order following appeals from the state.
Subsequently, she was shown arrested in five additional cases where her name did not originally appear in the First Information Reports. She was granted bail in those cases as well, though those orders remain stayed pending appellate proceedings. Several related matters are currently under hearing at the Appellate Division.
Summary of Case Progress
| Date | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 9 May 2024 | Arrested from residence | Linked to five murder/attempted murder cases |
| 9 November 2024 | First High Court bail granted | Stayed by Appellate Division |
| 2 March 2025 | Shown arrested in one case | Under judicial consideration |
| 12 April 2025 | Shown arrested in another case | Under judicial consideration |
| 26 February 2026 | Interim bail in five cases | Stayed pending appeal |
| 30 April 2026 | Interim bail in two cases | Rule issued by High Court |
Ivy’s legal team has argued that the process of repeatedly showing her arrested in multiple cases raises serious questions of legality, particularly where her name was absent from original charge sheets in some instances. They contend that such actions are arbitrary and inconsistent with established legal procedure, and therefore infringe upon constitutional protections.
A writ petition filed in this regard prompted the High Court to issue the rule, seeking clarification from the authorities on the legality of the arrest procedures and whether they contravene fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution.
Selina Hayat Ivy has had a long political and administrative career. She served as mayor of Narayanganj municipality from 2003 to 2011, and later became the elected mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation for three consecutive terms following its formation. Her political profile and administrative decisions have frequently drawn both public attention and scrutiny.
At present, she remains entangled in multiple legal proceedings, with several related bail applications and appeals still pending before higher judicial forums.