After husband’s death, Dipu Moni seeks withdrawal of bail plea

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Former Education Minister Dipu Moni has told the International Crimes Tribunal that she no longer wants bail and wishes to withdraw her pending application.

Dipu Moni made the statement on Thursday when she was produced before International Crimes Tribunal-1 in a case concerning alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising.

Speaking before the tribunal’s bail hearing, she said she had been in detention for two years and that her bail application had been submitted in April. She explained that she had previously sought bail to be with her husband, Tawfiq Nawaz, whose health had deteriorated after years of illness.

Dipu Moni said her husband had been bedridden for around seven years and that she had cared for him for five years while carrying out her government responsibilities. She said she was unable to be with him during his final moments after he died on August 18.

“I applied for bail to visit him then. I could not be with my partner of 39 years in his final moments. Now, there is no need for me to go home,” she told the tribunal.

She added that her children wanted her to be released, but she personally felt no urgency to return home following her husband’s death.

The tribunal expressed sympathy over her situation, saying it understood her request but would have to consider other relevant factors before making a decision.

The tribunal has fixed September 17 for the next hearing on her bail application.