Toddler waits as court sets Thursday hearing for mother over police assault charges

Lawyer says breastfeeding mother has legal right to bail

A 1‑and‑a‑half-year-old child has spent the day at a Dhaka court compound, waiting for the release of his mother Topsha Biswas, whose bail plea in a police assault case is now scheduled for Thursday.

Topsha, in custody following her arrest in a case alleging obstruction and assault on police, applied for bail on Monday before Dhaka Judicial Magistrate Sazzadur Rahman.

Lawyer Md Irshadul Haque submitted the petitions on behalf of Topsha and Kiron Mala, who was arrested with her.

Sub-Inspector Ariful Islam of the prosecution said the magistrate fixed Thursday for the hearing.

“We are hopeful they will be granted bail,” Irshadul said.

In the bail application, he said both the suspects are women and that Topsha has a breastfeeding infant, making them legally eligible for bail.

“The court rejected the remand plea on Saturday and sent them to jail. They will not abscond if released on bail,” the lawyer said.

Responding to a question in court, Irshadul added that a decision on the child would be taken if Topsha is not granted bail.

The case stems from an incident in Dhamrai, where police were allegedly attacked while attempting to arrest a convict in a theft case filed by Kaliakair Police.

According to the case statement filed by Dhamrai Police Sub-Inspector Subodh Chandra Barman, police raided a house in Baishakanda Union on Friday night to arrest Md Babul, the convict.

During the raid, 25 to 30 people, allegedly linked to a banned organisation, attacked police with sticks, rods and locally made weapons, injuring SI Subodh, three assistant sub-inspectors and a constable.

Police later arrested Topsha, Kiron, Badal Chandra Sarkar, and Dulal Chandra Sarkar. Topsha’s husband Harilal Biswas and son Sourav Biswas have also been named as suspects.

On Sunday, Topsha’s child waited in the court premises with his aunt, hoping for her release.

When bail was not granted, they returned home in the evening.

Images of the child waiting in court were later published by media outlets and widely shared on social media.

The child’s aunt Sarala Biswas said the toddler has been crying constantly for her mother.

“She breastfeeds him, but now we are feeding unsuitable food. He doesn’t sleep at night and is restless,” she said.