Human trafficking: SC extends stay order on ‘ringleader’ Azam Khan’s bail

The Supreme Court today extended its chamber judge's order that stayed the High Court bail for Md Azam Khan, alleged ringleader of a trafficking gang, in a case filed over human trafficking.

The Appellate Division of the SC, however, asked the HC to expeditiously hold hearing on and dispose of the rule issued on July 19 over granting bail to Azam Khan in the case.

The stay order issued by the apex court chamber judge on the HC bail will remain in force till disposal of the rule, and therefore, Azam Khan cannot get released from jail, his lawyer Zainul Abedin told The Daily Star.

A five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain came up with today's order following a leave-to-appeal petition filed by the state challenging the HC order of bail.

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

CID, on July 2 last year, filed the case with Lalbagh Police Station against Azam Khan and several others. On July 13 same year, Khan 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.

Khan, before a magistrate, had confessed that he along with some brokers used to lure girls -- promising them lucrative jobs in Dubai. He said they offered the girls a trip to Dubai for free and Tk 20,000 to 30,000 as advance. The brokers would also promise jobs paying up to Tk 50,000 per month and on their consent, Khan managed tourist visas for the girls and send them to Dubai, he added.

When they reached Dubai, the girls were first given jobs as receptionists or waitresses at three- or four-star hotels. Later, they were forced to work at dance clubs and then into sex work. The girls were tortured if they refused to comply, he told the magistrate.