Live Correspondent: Erfan Salim, son of Haji Mohammad Salim MP, was released from the Dhaka Central Jail Wednesday afternoon following his bail by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in a case of beating a naval officer. Mahabub Alam, jailor of the Dhaka Central Jail, confirmed the matter, saying he was released around 5:30pm.

Haji Salim's personal secretary Mohiuddin Ahmed Belal said after being released from jail, Erfan Salim went to his mother's grave at Azimpur Graveyard and offered fateha there. Then he went to his grandfather's house at Debidas Ghat Lane in Old Dhaka.

Erfan Salim's mother Gulshan Ara Salim died when he was in jail. Gulshan Ara Salim was a ward commissioner of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation. Erfam Salim's father Haji Mohammad Salim is a member of parliament and his father-in-law Ekramul Karim Chowdhury is also a lawmaker of Awami League.

Erfan Salim is a suspended councillor of the Ward No. 30 of the Dhaka South City Corporation. Earlier on Sunday, the Appellate Division upheld the bail granted by the High Court to Erfan Salim in a case of beating a naval officer and cleared the way of his release.

An appellate bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order dismissing the state's plea to cancel the bail. On January 27, the High Court had issued a rule asking why Erfan Salim would not be granted bail. Later, on March 18, he was granted bail.

On March 28, the Appellate Division's Chamber Judge Court stayed the bail granted to Erfan Salim by the High Court. At the same time, the matter was sent to the full bench of the Appellate Division for hearing. On the evening of 25 October last year, Haji Salim's car with a "Member of Parliament" sticker, hit the motorcycle of a Navy officer, Lieutenant Wasif, at Kalabagan Crossing in Dhanmondi. Haji Selim's son Erfan and the security guard were in the car.

The naval officer then stopped the motorcycle and introduced himself. At that time, two persons got out of Erfan Salim's car and beat Lieutenant Wasif. At one point, the officer tried to defend himself. Wasif's wife was also assaulted at the time.

When people gathered at the scene, the assailants fled. Later, the police seized the car and motorcycle. Lieutenant Wasif filed a case against Erfan Selim and four others with Dhanmondi Police Station on October 26 last year.

Dhaka, 28 April (campuslive24.com)//BSC