A Dhaka court sent a total of 64 pro-Awami League lawyers to jail today after rejecting their bail petitions in a case filed over assault, vandalism and attempted murder during the anti-discrimination student movement on August 4 last year.

Of them, three accused lawyers fled the courtroom after hearing the rejection order of their bail petitions, but their identities could not be known immediately. 

Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi confirmed the matter.

Former presidents of Dhaka Bar Association Saidur Rahman Manik, Gazi Shah Alam, Mahbubur Rahman, its former general secretary Asaduzzaman Khan Rachi, and former public prosecutor Nazrul Islam Shamim are among the accused in the case.

The court, however, granted bail to former president of Dhaka Bar Association Abu Sayeed Sagar and 18 female lawyers in the same case.

Judge Md Zakir Hussain of Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court passed the order after the accused lawyers appeared before the court and submitted bail petitions through their lawyers.

During the hearing, the defence lawyers told the court that their clients had gotten anticipatory bail for eight weeks from the High Court.

The HC also asked the lawyers to surrender before the lower court before expiry of the period. Showing respect towards the court order, their clients surrendered before the court and sought bail in the case, the defence said.

On the other hand, the prosecution opposed the petitions saying that the charges brought against the accused are serious and heinous. So they should be sent to jail after dismissal of their bail petitions.

Upon hearing both the sides, the judge turned down the defence pleas and ordered law enforcers to send them to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.

On February 6, Mohammad Ali Babu, a lawyer, filed the case against 144 pro-AL lawyers on charges of assault, vandalism and attempted murder during the mass uprising on August 4 last year.

According to the case statement, the pro-AL lawyers illegally assembled in groups outside the Dhaka Bar Association building on August 4, 2024. During the gathering, they attacked other lawyers and members with sticks and explosives.

The attackers also vandalised the chambers of pro-BNP lawyers, where they also damaged documents and bank checks.

Advocate Mohammad Ali Babu was reportedly attacked by the group while he was returning to the Bar Association after a court session that day.