Baul Singer Abul Sarkar Granted Six-Month Bail in Blasphemy Case

Baul singer Abul Sarkar, who had been in custody following his arrest in a case over alleged religious defamation and offensive remarks, has been granted interim bail for six months by the High Court.

The bail order was issued on Sunday by a High Court bench comprising Justice Md. Atowar Rahman and Justice Md. Sagir Hossain, along with a rule issued in the case.

According to defense lawyer Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajol, although allegations of religious defamation were brought against the singer, the case lacks a sufficient legal basis. He added that there would be no legal barrier to Sarkar’s release if no other cases were pending against him.

The bail petition was filed after Sarkar failed to secure relief in a lower court. The High Court heard the petition and granted interim bail.

During the hearing, lawyer Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajol represented the petitioner, while Deputy Attorney General Sultana Akter Ruby appeared for the state.

The case stems from an incident on November 4 last year, when Sarkar allegedly made controversial remarks during a folk performance at a fair in the Jabra area of Ghior upazila in Manikganj District. A video of the performance later went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism.

Following the incident, Sarkar was detained on the night of November 19 from a musical event in Madaripur District by a team of Detective Branch (DB) police from Manikganj. He was brought to the district DB office the next morning.

On the same day, a case was filed at Ghior Police Station by Mufti Md. Abdullah, Imam of Ghior Bazar Mosque. The complaint accused Sarkar of insulting Islamic beliefs and hurting religious sentiments through provocative and offensive comments.

Sarkar was shown arrested in the case and sent to jail on November 20 through the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court in Manikganj.

He was granted bail in the case on Sunday.