High Court Seeks State's Explanation on Bail for Ex-Election Chief

The High Court has issued a rule requiring the state to justify within two weeks why former chief election commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, currently detained, should not be granted bail.

The rule follows a petition filed by Awal seeking release in a case involving alleged poll irregularities and constitutional violations. Awal oversaw the 2024 national election. The case was filed last year by BNP Executive Committee member Salahuddin Khan against Awal, former CECs KM Nurul Huda (who oversaw the 2018 polls) and Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad (who led the 2014 commission), along with 22 others.

Among the accused are ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 11 former election commissioners, and senior government and police officials. The complaint alleges that the accused violated the constitution, breached the electoral code of conduct, and falsely declared winners who did not receive the people's votes. Law enforcement arrested Awal on June 25 last year in connection with the case.

During the hearing on the bail petition, senior lawyers Shahdeen Malik, SM Shahjahan, and Sara Hossain represented Awal, while Deputy Attorneys General KB Rumy, Faisal Siddiqui, and Mohammad Fazlul Karim Mondal appeared for the state.