Mintoo gets bail, Khokon doesn't

A Dhaka court yesterday granted bail to BNP chairperson's adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo in a case filed over the May 5, 2013 Hefajat mayhem while another court rejected bail to BNP lawmaker Mahbub Uddin Khokon in the same case.  
The court granted bail to Mintoo on grounds that he was abroad during the Hefajat mayhem and had been suffering from various ailments. But he could not get out of jail as the bail petitions of two other cases are now pending with the High Court.  
Another court rejected the bail to Khokon, also secretary of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association, on grounds that police made him accused in the case as they found his involvement in "instigating" the Hefajat men.
The case was filed with Motijheel Police Station for killing sub-inspector Md Shahjahan in a clash between police and Hefajat-e Islam men in the capital's Motijheel.
The court also granted bail to Mintoo in another case filed with Motijheel Police Station for torching vehicles, assaulting police and preventing them from discharging their duties the same day.  Earlier on January 16, Mintoo also got bail in another case filed over the same charge.
The judge also rejected bails of Khokon in the cases-- one filed with Ramna Police Station for the December 24 Bangla Motor arson attack that left police constable Ferdous Khalil dead and another with Motijheel Police Station for attempting to kill police personnel in front of Ideal School and College last November 5.
Mintoo was arrested on November 8 last year while Khokon on December 26.
Asked about the order, senior lawyer Shajahan Miah, told The Daily Star that any court has a discretionary power to pass any order on bail petition.

SHAMMI AKHTER
Another Dhaka court yesterday sent BNP lawmaker Shammi Akhter to jail after rejecting her bail in an attempted murder case filed with Banani Police Station on January 5 last year.
The court also rejected the remand prayer sought by police.
On December 25 Shammi was held when she tried to enter BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan residence.