NN Online:
A Manikganj court on Tuesday turned down the bail petitions of former Awami League lawmaker and celebrated folk singer Momtaz Begum in connection with two separate cases—one involving a murder charge and the other related to violence and vandalism.
Manikganj Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sadbir Yeasir Ahsan Chowdhury issued the order after Momtaz was brought before the court from Kashimpur Central Jail under heavy security. She was presented with formal bail requests in both cases, which were subsequently rejected.
Tight security measures were implemented in and around the Manikganj Judicial Magistrate Court to prevent any unrest, as supporters of BNP and its affiliated organisations gathered to protest against Momtaz. The protesters demanded her punishment for alleged derogatory remarks made about late President Ziaur Rahman. Eggs were reportedly thrown at Momtaz while she was being escorted back to the prison van.
Court Inspector Abul Khayer confirmed that the cases were filed with Singair and Harirampur police stations. One relates to a murder that occurred during a pro-hartal procession in 2013 in Gobindal village of Singair upazila, in which four people were killed. The case was filed by local resident Md Majnu Molla on October 25, 2024.
The second case, lodged by Delwar Hossain, Organising Secretary of BNP’s Harirampur upazila unit, accuses Momtaz of participating in an attack and vandalism at Harirampur Police Station on October 30, 2023.
Earlier, on May 22, Momtaz was placed on a four-day remand in connection with the murder case. Later, Judge Ivy Akter of the Manikganj Senior Judicial Magistrate Court granted a two-day remand for the second case involving the police station attack.
Momtaz remains in custody as investigations continue.
