The High Court has denied bail to Ayesha Siddiqa Minni, the wife of Barguna’s Rifat Sharif who was hacked to death in broad daylight.

The bench of justices Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain and Md Mostafizur Rahman gave the order on Thursday (Aug 8) after hearing the petition.

The court said that it will only issue a rule asking the government why Minni should not be granted bail but it will not grant her bail at this stage of the case, said her counsel ZI Khan Panna.

As the court didn’t want to grant the bail, instead of accepting the rule, the defendant withdrew the bail petition.

On Jun 26, Rifat was attacked in broad daylight by a group of assailants wielding sharp weapons, in front of Barguna Government College, while Minni tried to save him.

He died later of excessive bleeding caused from the wounds he sustained during the attack.

The video of the attack went viral on the internet, sparking outrage across the country.

Rifat’s father Dulal Sharif filed a case at Barguna police station against 12 people.

Police have so far arrested 15 people, including Minni, all of who have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the murder.

Minni was arrested on Jul 16, Minni and a court placed her on a five-day remand.

On Jul 18, Barguna Superintendent of Police (SP) Maruf Hossain told the media that she had confessed to her involvement in Rifat’s murder.

A Barguna court recorded her confessional statement and sent her to jail the next day.

However, Minni's father Mozammel Hossain later claimed his daughter gave the statement under duress, creating further controversy.

On Jul 30, a Barguna court rejected her bail petition in the same case.