SC stays HC order of not arresting Mirza Alamgir

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the High Court (HC) order that had asked the police to refrain from harassing or arresting BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir until the submission of inquiry reports in three cases. The three cases were filed against him under the Explosives Substances Act with different police stations in the city. After granting a leave-to-appeal petition filed by the government, a five-member bench of the appellate division, headed by Chief Justice Muzammel Hossain, passed the order. The appellate division bench also fixed February 18 for the next hearing. The HC on January 16 asked the police to refrain from harassing or arresting Mirza Alamgir until the submission of inquiry reports in the three cases. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, defence counsel adv AJ Mohammad Ali, adv Joynul Abedin and Barrister Ehsanur Rahman were present. Police filed two cases – one on Dec 1 last year and the other on Dec 25 – with Ramna Police Station against Mirza Alamgir on charge of instigating petrol bomb attack on vehicles during the BNP-led 18 opposition parties’ nationwide blockade. In the third case filed on Nov 28, 2013, Shahbagh police made Mirza Alamgir an accused on similar charges, according to UNB.