Selina Hayat Ivy, the former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation and senior vice-president of the Narayanganj district Awami League, has been granted bail again in a murder case concerning the death of rickshaw puller Tuhin during the 2024 mass uprising. Following a hearing at the Narayanganj District and Sessions Judge’s Court on Tuesday, the court approved her renewed bail application.
As she left the court and approached her vehicle, Ivy raised the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’, declaring, “Joy Bangla, you cannot suppress us.” Her remarks came shortly after the court proceedings, attracting attention from those present.
Ivy arrived at the Narayanganj district court premises at 10.55am on Tuesday and was escorted into the courtroom under police protection. A large number of lawyers, journalists and her supporters were present at the court.
During the hearing, Ivy’s lawyer, Advocate Awlad Hossain, told the court that police had submitted a final report in the case. According to the defence, investigators had found no evidence of explosives or evidence establishing Ivy’s involvement in the alleged offence.
Awlad Hossain also said that Aleya Akter Mim, the complainant and wife of the deceased rickshaw puller, had not appeared before the court despite receiving notice. He argued that Ivy had previously been granted bail in the case and asked the court to accept the police’s final report and grant her bail again.
Public Prosecutor Zakir Hossain opposed the bail application, saying the prosecution intended to submit a petition challenging the decision. In response, Awlad Hossain and other defence lawyers questioned the legal basis on which the public prosecutor intended to file such a petition.
After hearing arguments from both sides, District and Sessions Judge Abu Shamim Azad granted Ivy bail again. The hearing addressed both the defence’s request for bail and its application concerning the police report.
Background to the murder case
According to the case statement, rickshaw puller Tuhin was killed on 20 July 2024 in front of BRAC Bank on the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj.
Former member of parliament Shamim Osman has been named as the first accused in the murder case, while Ivy is listed as the 11th accused. The case relates to an incident during the mass uprising of July and August 2024, a period marked by widespread protests and violence that culminated in a major political change in Bangladesh.
The defence’s assertion that investigators found no evidence linking Ivy to the alleged offence was presented during the court hearing. The submission of a police final report does not, by itself, establish that a case has been conclusively resolved; the report’s legal status depends on the relevant judicial proceedings.
Similarly, the granting of bail does not amount to an acquittal. It allows an accused person to remain at liberty subject to the applicable legal conditions while proceedings continue. The available information does not indicate that the court has finally disposed of the murder case.
Ivy’s political slogan after the hearing
After the court proceedings, Ivy was heard raising ‘Joy Bangla’ as she walked towards her vehicle. She then said, “Joy Bangla, you cannot suppress us.”
‘Joy Bangla’ has a longstanding place in Bangladesh’s political history and is closely associated with the country’s independence movement. It has also remained a prominent slogan in Awami League political activities. Ivy’s use of the slogan following the bail hearing drew attention to her public response to the proceedings.
Ivy has been a prominent political figure in Narayanganj, serving as mayor of the city corporation and holding a senior position in the district Awami League. Her latest court appearance forms part of the legal proceedings in which she has been named as an accused.
Meanwhile, another case involving Ivy is scheduled to come before the Narayanganj District Judge’s Court on Wednesday, when she is due to appear. The outcome of that hearing will depend on the proceedings before the court.
