SC extends stay on Minar's bail

The Supreme Court yesterday extended till February 28 next year its order that stayed a High Court verdict granting bail to Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury Minar, a prime accused in Fulgazi upazila chairman Ekramul Haque killing case.

The apex court passed the order following a government petition seeking a stay on the verdict. A four-member bench of the SC's Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha fixed February 28 for further hearing.

Minar cannot get released until February 28, Additional Attorney General Murad Reza told The Daily Star.

Ekram, 45, also the president of Awami League upazila unit, was shot and burnt to death in his car in Feni town's Academy area on May 20, 2014.

The victim's brother filed the murder case with Feni Model Police Station, accusing Minar and 30 to 35 anonymous people.

Following a bail petition, the HC on November 24 granted him permanent bail in the case.

The SC chamber judge stayed the verdict till yesterday and sent the petition to the full bench of the apex court for its hearing.