BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar broke down in tears at the grave of party founder Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after his release from prison, following 17 years of incarceration.
Babar was freed from Dhaka’s central jail in Keraniganj around 1:45 pm, and made his way directly to Zia’s grave. Despite his frail health, he was accompanied by a convoy of several thousand BNP leaders and workers. The journey took approximately three hours.
Lutfozzaman Babar finally walks out of jail
Upon arrival, Babar was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and broke down amidst his supporters. He was joined by BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. After regaining composure, Babar acknowledged the greetings of party leaders and workers.
Babar first visited Zia’s grave, then went to the graves of his parents in Banani, before heading to his residence in Gulshan.
Nazrul Islam Khan later spoke to the press, reflecting on Babar’s unjust imprisonment. “Our dear colleague, who endured over 17 years in prison and has now been proven innocent, is finally free,” he said.
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Khan added, “Babar, who was young and vigorous when imprisoned, was wrongfully incarcerated due to political vendetta and false charges. He spent nearly six years in a condemned cell. The toll on him has been immense, but we are grateful for the court’s decision to clear him of all charges.”
Khan also praised Babar’s devotion to the BNP, noting that despite his ill health, he chose to visit Ziaur Rahman’s grave first, rather than go home to his family.
A former Netrokona-4 MP, Babar served twice between 1991-1996 and 2001-2006. He was appointed the youngest state minister for home affairs in Khaleda Zia’s cabinet in 2001.
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Following his release, a large crowd gathered outside Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj to welcome him with flowers and congratulations.
Babar’s legal battles began in 2007, resulting in multiple convictions, including two death sentences and one life sentence. However, after the fall of the Awami League government in 2024, Babar was gradually acquitted of all charges, including an 8-year corruption sentence and a death sentence in the August 21 grenade attack case.