Ex-Speaker Shirin Sharmin Granted Bail in Attempted Murder Case

A Dhaka court on Sunday granted bail to former Speaker of Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, in a case involving the attempted murder of a protester during the July uprising.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain issued the order upon a bail bond of Tk 50,000. Prosecution Sub-Inspector Ashraful Alam confirmed the court's decision.

Shirin Sharmin was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) from her Dhanmondi residence on April 7, having remained in hiding since the Awami League government fell on August 5, 2024. Although police initially sought a two-day remand, the court previously rejected both the remand and bail pleas, sending her to prison.

The case stems from an incident on July 18, 2024, during the anti-discrimination movement. The complainant, Md. Ashraful (Fahim), alleged he was shot while marching near the Azimpur Government Colony, resulting in permanent damage to his left eye. The case names 130 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury became the country’s first female Speaker in 2013 and held the post until her resignation, which she tendered 27 days after the fall of the Hasina administration.