Why Minni should not be granted bail, HC asks govt

The High Court on Tuesday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why Ayesha Siddika Minni should not be granted bail in a case filed over the murder of her husband Rifat Sharif, reports UNB.

The HC bench of justice M Enayetur Rahim and justice Mostafizur Rahman issued the rule and ordered the authorities concerned to respond to the rule within seven days.

It also fixed 28 August for next hearing.

The HC asked the investigation officer of the case to appear before it on the next hearing day with documents.

Besides, the HC asked the superintendent of Barguna district to clarify the press briefing arranged by police over the confessional statement by Minni under section 164 of the CrPc.

The High Court on Monday wants to know the details of when the police SP of Barguna briefed media that Ayesha Siddika Minni had given a confessional statement over the murder of her husband Rifat Sharif.

The HC bench asked ZI Panna Khan, lawyer of Minni, to submit the details in affidavit form by 2pm on Tuesday, clarifying whether the briefing actually took place before or after the statement Minni gave under Section 164 of the CrPC.

On 8 August, the High Court refused to grant bail to Ayesha Siddika Minni in the case.

A bench of justice Sheikh Zakir Hossain and justice Mostafizur Rahman denied bail to Minni saying that the court can issue a rule seeking explanation as to why she won't be granted bail, but can't grant her bail right now. The court said that they have to examine the confessional statement of the accused in the case.

Rifat Sharif, 22, was attacked with sharp weapons near the main gate of Barguna Government College on 26 June. Minni appeared to be trying to protect him during the attack.

Police have so far arrested 16 people over the murder. Besides, main accused Sabbir Ahmed alias Nayon Bond was killed in a reported gunfight with law enforcers on 2 July.

Police arrested Minni on 16 July over the murder of her husband and was denied bail several times. She reportedly confessed to her involvement in the murder before the court on 19 July, two days after her arrest.

On 31 July, Minni filed a petition with a Barguna court seeking withdrawal of her confessional statement over the murder.