Polls Code Violation: SC upholds Nixon Chowdhury’s bail

Nixon Chowdhury

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court yesterday upheld a High Court order that granted anticipatory bail to lawmaker Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, known as Nixon Chowdhury, in a case over violations of the electoral code of conduct.

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Md Nuruzzaman passed "no order" on a petition filed by the state seeking a stay on the HC order of bail to Nixon Chowdhury.

The apex court chamber judge's "no order" means that the HC's anticipatory bail to Nixon Chowdhury will remain in force, Assistant Attorney General Md Saiful Alam told The Daily Star.

Lawyers Abdul Baset Majumdar and Sayeed Ahmed Raza appeared for Nixon Chowdhury during hearing of the stay petition before SC chamber judge's court.

On October 20, the HC granted anticipatory bail to Nixon Chowdhury, for eight weeks on some conditions in the case over violations of the electoral code of conduct.

The conditions are that the independent MP from Faridpur-4 will not misuse the privilege of bail and will not intimidate any witnesses in the case or the local administration. The MP will also assist the investigation officer in the inquiry.

The Election Commission filed the case with Charbhadrasan Police Station on October 15 against Nixon for violating the electoral code of conduct during the October 10 by-polls for the post of Charbhadrasan upazila chairman in Faridpur.

According to the case statement, Nixon (42) called Atul Sarkar, deputy commissioner of Faridpur, over mobile phone around 8am on October 9 and expressed his displeasure over the appointment of magistrates.

On the election day, the assistant commissioner (land) of Bhanga upazila ordered the arrest of one of Nixon's followers for violating the electoral code of conduct. Nixon then used abusive language in a phone conversation with Charbhadrasan Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jasmin Sultana.

Nixon also violated the electoral code of conduct by participating in a victory rally after the announcement of the by-polls results, said the case statement.