Awami League leader arrested again from jail gate despite High Court bail

❐ Staff representative

Kazi Sonia Sultana, vice-president of Magura District Women’s Awami League and former vice-chairman of Sadar Upazila, had just stepped out of jail after completing the formalities of her release from jail after receiving bail from the High Court. But the joy of freedom did not last even for a moment. Law enforcement officers who had already taken up positions outside the jail gate immediately re-arrested her.

The dramatic incident took place in front of the main gate of the Magura District Jail at around 11 am on Friday, May 8. The sudden arrest immediately created tension and excitement in the jail gate area, and the matter quickly spread to local political circles.

Kazi Sonia Sultana is a resident of Ichakhada village in Hazrapur union of Magura Sadar upazila. She is the daughter of the late Jamil Hossain.

This leader, who has been actively involved in the politics of the Magura District Women’s Awami League for a long time, has also served as the Vice Chairman of the Sadar Upazila Parishad.

It is learned that on March 5, Kazi Sonia Sultana participated in the inauguration of the Magura District Awami League office and the party flag hoisting program in the Jamrultala area of ​​Magura town.

The next day, a leader of the District Volunteer Party filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Magura Sadar Police Station over this program. In that case, Sonia Sultana was arrested and sent to jail.

After a long legal battle, he was granted bail in the case by the High Court on Thursday, May 7. Then, on Friday morning, just as he was about to complete all the formalities of his release and cross the main gate of the prison — that is, before he could practically breathe free air — he was re-arrested by law enforcement officers who were already waiting there.

The failure to immediately release details of any new cases in this re-arrest has sparked various questions and debates in the local political arena. Many believe that the re-arrest from jail gate immediately after receiving bail from a higher court like the High Court is politically motivated.

When asked about this, Magura Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Ashiqur Rahman said that Kazi Sonia Sultana has been re-arrested on charges of involvement in a sabotage case. However, he did not immediately disclose the details of that case.

The incident of his re-arrest from jail gate almost immediately after the High Court’s bail order came into effect has sparked a storm of strong reactions and criticism in local political circles.

This arrest is being called political harassment and an attempt to bypass the judicial process by those close to the Awami League.