BDR MUTINY CASEHC bench split over bail to Pintu

Now the matter will be heard by the chief justice, who will forward it to another bench

Dhaka, Oct 25 (bdnews24.com) — A High Court bench could not reach consensus over granting bail to BNP leader Nasir Uddin Pintu in the murder case filed over the 2009 BDR mutiny, and gave conflicting verdicts.

Senior member of the two-strong bench justice Sheikh Rezowan Ali granted Pintu bail on Tuesday, while junior bench member justice Saifur Rahman declined.

Khandker Mahbub Hossain acted as the defence lawyer, while additional attorney general Momtaz Uddin Fakir argued for the prosecution.

Hossain said, "The bench gave split verdicts after hearing the rule on interim bail. As a result, it will be heard by the chief justice. He will then forward it to another bench."

In all, 74 people including 57 army officers were killed in the bloody mutiny that took place at the Peelkhana BDR headquarters on Feb 25-26, 2009.

The force was later renamed the Border Guard Bangladesh.

Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) submitted a chargesheet on July last year accusing 824 persons including former BNP MP Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu and Awami League leader Torab Ali.

Pintu was arrested in the case filed with New Market police on June 2, 2009. On June 7 this year, the High Court ruled asking why Pintu should not be given permanent bail after granting him interim bail. The split verdict came following its hearing.

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