Chattogram Court Violence: Bail Granted to 63 Lawyers in Explosives Case

63 Lawyers Granted Bail in Chattogram Court Violence Explosives Case

At least 63 lawyers charged under the Explosives Act in connection with violent clashes on the Chattogram court premises have been granted bail.

The bail order was issued on Monday by Chattogram Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sarker Hasan Shahriar, according to a report by bdnews24.com.

The accused, who had surrendered earlier that day, sought bail in a case stemming from violence that occurred last year.

Subrata Chowdhury, a defense lawyer for the accused, stated, “The lawyers named in this case were not involved in the incident. The complainant was not present at the scene and failed to provide evidence.” He added, “The court found our arguments convincing and granted bail until the charge sheet or police report is submitted.”

State prosecutor Shamshul Alam noted, “The court has rarely granted bail in cases under the Explosives Act. After a hearing, however, bail was approved in this instance.”

Enhanced Security Measures
On Monday morning, security at the court premises was heightened, with police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel stationed on the building’s third floor.

Background of the Incident
The case traces back to November 26, 2024, when the court rejected a bail application for Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Jagaran Jote, in a sedition case and ordered his detention.

Following the ruling, protesters from the Hindu community blocked the prison van within the court premises, prompting a two-and-a-half-hour standoff. Police eventually used stun grenades to disperse the crowd. The protest resulted in significant damage to motorcycles and vehicles on Court Road and shattered windows on the second floor of the Court Mosque Complex, where lawyers’ chambers are located.

The demonstration escalated into clashes between protesters, lawyers, and court staff. During the violence on Rangam Convention Hall Road, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was fatally attacked.

Legal Proceedings and Allegations
Four days later, Alif’s brother, Khan Alam, filed a case under the Explosives Act at Kotwali Police Station, accusing 116 individuals of vandalism, explosions, and attacks on the public. A separate murder case was filed by Alif’s father, Jamal Uddin, naming 31 suspects along with 15-16 unidentified individuals.

Additionally, police filed three more cases related to vandalism and obstructing law enforcement, naming 76 individuals and listing 1,400 unidentified suspects.

The Bangladesh Sammilito Jagaran Jote alleged that the case under the Explosives Act was filed to prevent Hindu lawyers from participating in the bail hearing.

Continued Protests
After the bail decision, a group of lawyers demonstrated on the court premises, demanding justice for the slain lawyer Alif.