Human trafficking: SC chamber judge stays Azam Khan's bail

The Supreme Court stayed -- for six more weeks -- a High Court order that granted bail to Md Azam Khan, an alleged ringleader of a human trafficking gang.

The Chamber judge of the Appellate Division of the SC Justice Obaidul Hassan passed the order today following a petition filed by the state, seeking a stay on the HC bail for Azam Khan.

The apex court judge also asked the state to file a leave to appeal petition with this court against the HC order in six months.

Deputy Attorney General Bishwajit Debnath told The Daily Star that the SC Chamber Judge stays the HC's bail order on the ground that Azam Khan has confessed his involvement with human trafficking to a magistrate.

Besides, few other victims of human trafficking have also given statements to the magistrate, bringing allegations against Azam Khan and his accomplices, he said.

Azam Khan's lawyer Zainul Abedin told this correspondent that his client can't receive a release from jail following the SC chamber judge's order.

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin appeared for the state during the virtual hearing of the stay petition today.

Following a bail petition filed by Azam Khan, the HC on July 19 this year granted bail to him in the human trafficking case.

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police on July 2 last year filed the case with Lalbagh police station against Azam Khan and several others.

Azam Khan on July 13 last year reportedly confessed to a Dhaka magistrate that he, along with eight others, was involved in forcing 60 to 70 girls into sex work in Dubai.