Dhaka, Jan 08 (V7N) — The High Court has granted interim bail to 23 individuals, including Wasiul Islam, a leader of the Sadpanthi faction of Tablighi Jamaat, in connection with the violent clash at the Bishwa Ijtema ground in Tongi that resulted in three deaths.

The order was issued on Wednesday by a High Court bench comprising Justice Mohammad Mahbub-ul Islam and Justice Md. Hamidur Rahman. The bail will remain in effect until the police submit their investigation report.

Defense lawyer Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun highlighted that most of the accused are over 80 years old and are respected members of society. "Considering their age and standing, the court has granted interim bail to 23 of them," he stated.

The clash occurred on December 17, 2024, during a dispute at the Ijtema ground, leading to three fatalities. Following the incident, a case was filed on December 19 by SM Alam Hossain, a follower of Maulana Jobayer, at Tongi West Police Station. The case listed 29 individuals by name and several hundred unidentified individuals as accused.

Previously, the bail application for the accused was rejected on December 24, 2024. With the interim bail now granted, the accused will await the findings of the ongoing investigation.

END/MSS/AJ