The court in Manikganj has rejected the bail application of Baul singer Abul Sarkar, who was apprehended in connection with a case concerning religious defamation. The ruling was delivered on Monday (08 December) afternoon by Justice SKM Tofayel Hasan of the Manikganj District and Sessions Judge Court.
A number of lawyers staged a demonstration on the court premises during this time, demanding punishment for Abul Sarkar.
Abul Sarkar’s lawyer, Zinnat Ali, confirmed that the initial bail hearing for the Baul singer took place at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on 23 November, after which the judge denied his bail. Subsequently, an application for bail was submitted to the District and Sessions Judge Court under the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bail hearing for Abul Sarkar was conducted at the District and Sessions Judge Court on Monday afternoon.
The defence team participating in the bail hearing for the accused consisted of 15 to 16 lawyers, including High Court lawyers Shahidul Islam, Zahir Ahmed, Md. Shafiq Uddin, and Manikganj Judge Court lawyers such as Zinnat Ali, Md. Shorhab Hossain, Mohiuddin Swapan, Kamrul Hasan Khokon, Helal Uddin Ahmed, and Fate Ibn Jhontu.
The State was represented by government prosecutor Nurtaj Alam Bahar during the bail proceedings. Following arguments from both parties, Justice SKM Tofayel Hasan of the District and Sessions Judge Court ruled to deny bail to the Baul singer Abul Sarkar.
Defence lawyer Zinnat Ali mentioned that if Abul Sarkar is convicted by the court, the judge could impose the maximum penalty under section 295(A) of the country’s existing law, which is two years of imprisonment, or a fine, or both.
Glive24/SS