High Court directs release of Prof Abul Barkat if not wanted on other charges

Petition alleges he was detained arbitrarily, illegally and with intent to harass, humiliate and subject him to undue hardship

The High Court has ordered the release of economist Prof Abul Barkat if he is not required in any other case, directing authorities to free him as soon as they receive the order.

The court also asked why his continued detention should not be declared illegal.

A bench comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury issued the order on Wednesday after hearing a writ petition filed by Barkat’s daughter, Aroni Barkat, an assistant professor of economics at Dhaka University.

Aroni appealed to the High Court on Tuesday, alleging that her father was being detained arbitrarily, illegally, and maliciously for the purpose of harassment, humiliation and oppression.

After hearing the plea, the bench ordered the economist's immediate release along with the ruling, said defence lawyer Syed Mamun Mahbub.

The home secretary, law secretary, and the superintendent of Dhaka Central Jail, have been asked to respond to the ruling by Jul 8.

Mamun said, "The ruling asks why Prof Barkat should not be produced in court so it can be satisfied that he was not detained illegally."

He said an order was also issued to ensure a copy of the High Court order and ruling is quickly delivered to the respondents through a special messenger at the petitioner's expense.

Prof Barkat was granted a conditional bail by the Appellate Division in a graft case on Jun 7.

Despite that, he was not released from prison. On the same day, he was shown arrested in an explosives case filed with Dhaka's New Market Police.

Prof Barkat was the chairman of the Department of Economics of Dhaka University and the president of the Bangladesh Economic Association.

He also served as the chairman of Janata Bank during the Awami League government.

The Anti-Corruption Commission brought claims against him and 22 others on Feb 20, 2025, on charges of embezzling Tk 2.97 billion in the name of AnonTex Group while he was the chairman of Janata Bank.

He was arrested on Jul 10 of that year and has remained in prison since.