After hearing a petition, a division bench, comprising Justice MA Matin and Justice MA Hye, passed the interim order.

The court also asked the government to return the ailing mayor's passport to facilitate his tour abroad for better treatment.

On Sunday, when the mayor's bail petition was submitted to a division bench, it was referred to the chief justice for order, as the bench did not have jurisdiction over the detention matter.

Later, the chief justice sent the matter to the division bench, headed by Justice MA Matin, for disposal.

On May 17, the High Court upon a petition had granted him bail for three months in a graft case on health grounds. But, he could not come out of jail as the detention order against him was in force.

The joint forces arrested CCC Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury at his residence in the port city on March 7 on charge of corruption.

On March 14, the mayor was rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital from Bandarban jail following a heart attack. Later, he was shifted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the capital as his condition deteriorated.

Barrister M Amir-Ul Islam appeared for petitioner Hasina Mohiuddin, wife of the mayor.