Jannati finally gets bail

Young entrepreneur Jannati Hossain, who was detained eight months ago over the death of her friend and business partner Mostamsir Ashraf in a car crash, was granted bail by the High Court yesterday.

Delivering the judgment, the court said although there is no evidence of planned killing in this case, the trial court will examine whether there is any element of murder charge in it.

"With my daughter getting bail after a struggle of nine months I feel I am over the moon," said Jannati's mother Shakila Hossain after the High Court bench led by Justice Md Nizamul Huq yesterday granted the bail.

She said Jannati might step out of jail on Sunday.

Last year, during the hearing of the bail petition, a HC judge “felt embarrassed” while another one refused to hear the petition without mentioning any reason. Lower courts also denied her bail twice.

On July 11 last year, Jannati while driving Mostamsir's car crashed into a parked police van near Mohakhali flyover. Mostamsir, who was beside her, was gravely injured and died on the way to hospital, police said. Tejgaon police sued her for reckless driving.

Mostamsir was the son of Khan Mohammad Abdul Mannan, a former district court judge and now serving as the inspector general of registration (of land).

Ten days after the accident, Mostamsir's family lodged a murder case against Jannati, her brothers Jubair and Junaid, father Delwar Hossain and husband Raymen Siddique, alleging that the five had murdered Mostamsir in a planned way to take over his business.

Of the 15 people named as prosecution witnesses, four are high-profile government officials.

CID Inspector Uttam Kumar Biswas, the investigation officer of the murder case, claimed yesterday that he has made a good progress in the investigation and expected to conclude the probe soon. He however refused to give any timeframe.

Jannati and Mostamsir launched Echo Sparks, a music cafe and gaming zone, in Uttara in December 2013. Jannati has other businesses in partnership with her husband Raymen Siddique, according to her family.

Ever since Jannati landed in jail, her family has been alleging that she was denied justice as Mostamsir's family is influential.

Mostamsir's uncle Hannan Khan, the complainant, however, says he will accept whatever comes out of a proper investigation.

Jannati and her husband had founded Velocity, a car modification company. She also became managing editor of automobile magazine Torque.