Dhaka, Oct. 27 -- The High Court today issued a rule asking the government to explain why former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque should not be granted bail in five separate cases, including one filed over the murder of Jubo Dal activist Abdul Kaiyum Ahad in Dhaka's Jatrabari area during the recent anti-discrimination student-public movement.

A bench of Justice ASM Abdul Mobin and Justice Sagir Hossain passed the order after hearing a bail petition filed by the former chief justice. The court directed the government to respond to the rule within two weeks.

Senior lawyer Mansurul Haque Chowdhury appeared on behalf of Khairul Haque, while Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman represented the state. Barrister M Sarwar Hossain stood for the Anti-C...