The High Court has granted bail to Ayesha Siddiqa Minni, the wife of Barguna’s Rifat Sharif who was hacked to death in broad daylight.
The court, however, has forbidden her from speaking to the media saying that she is to remain in her father’s custody and ‘misuse’ of her bail will result in it being scrapped.
The bench of Justice M Enyaetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman gave the order on Thursday (Aug 29).
On Aug 8, her counsel ZI Khan Panna withdrew her plea when the bench of justices Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain and Md Mostafizur Rahman denied her bail and wanted to issue a rule instead.
On Aug 18, another bail plea was filed with a new bench and on Aug 20 the HC issued a rule asking why Minni should not be granted bail.
The court also show-caused the Barguna superintendant of police to explain why he briefed the media on Minni’s involvement before recording her confessional statement and ordered the investigating officer to inform the court on the case progress by Aug 28.
On Jun 26, Minni’s husband Rifat was attacked in broad daylight by a group of assailants wielding sharp weapons, in front of Barguna Government College, while she tried to save him.
He died later of excessive bleeding caused by the wounds he sustained during the attack.
The video of the attack went viral on the internet, sparking outrage across the country and 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, the key witness, was arrested on Jul 16 after being taken in for questioning 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, the family claimed Minni gave the statement under duress, creating further controversy.
On Jul 30, a Barguna court had also rejected her bail petition in the same case.
