Top-listed Chittagong criminal Sajjad Hossain, alias Chhoto Sajjad, and his wife Sharmin Akhter Tamanna have secured bail from the High Court in four murder cases.
The bail was granted in late September but only came to light this week after the court orders reached Chittagong courts nearly two and a half months later.
Sajjad is currently held at Rajshahi Central Jail, while Tamanna is in Feni District Jail. They were transferred from Chittagong Jail last month.
Sources said attempts were allegedly made at every stage to keep the bail orders hidden from police, administration, and journalists. Sajjad faces 19 cases, including 10 murder charges, among them a double murder in Chittagong and the widely publicized killing of notorious criminal Babla. Tamanna is accused in eight cases, including multiple murder charges.
Confirming the bail, Sajjad’s lawyer Abu Bakkar Siddique told Dhaka Tribune: “Imprisoned Sajjad and his wife Tamanna have been granted bail in four cases. The bail bonds have been sent to the prison authorities.”
Police and court sources said the High Court granted bail to the couple on September 15 and 22 in four separate murder cases filed with Chandgaon and Panchlaish police stations. Although the orders were signed on September 18 and October 5, they reached Chittagong courts only on December 8.
Sources added that bail bonds were deliberately withheld and Tamanna’s name was listed first in petitions to highlight her status as a woman, while Sajjad’s criminal identity was reportedly downplayed.
Chittagong Central Jail Superintendent Shah Syed Sharif said: “Sajjad Hossain alias Chhoto Sajjad has 16 cases against him. Bail orders in three cases have reached us. Tamanna has received bail orders in four cases. Sajjad is in Rajshahi Jail, Tamanna in Feni Jail, and the relevant documents have been sent to those prisons.”
Police arrested Sajjad in the capital on March 15 and Tamanna on May 10 from the Bahaddarhat area. Both have remained in custody since.
