Former inspector general of police of Bangladesh Benazir Ahmed, who was recently granted conditional bail in the United Arab Emirates, might hold passports from other countries, home minister Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters at the Secretariat on Monday.

When asked about Benazir’s bail, the home minister said, ‘I spoke about the issue yesterday while I was in Rajshahi. A UAE court granted him bail on the condition that he cannot leave the country. After learning about the matter, I contacted the law firm we have engaged to handle the case. I instructed the firm to submit necessary documents to expedite the cancellation of his bail and pursue Benazir’s repatriation. The home secretary also immediately spoke with the UAE ambassador.’

Responding to a question about why bail had been granted despite the government’s efforts to bring him back to Bangladesh, the minister said, ‘I do not want to comment on the court’s decision without knowing the full details. We have asked our law firm to obtain a certified copy of the court order and review the matter. We have also instructed them to file a petition seeking the cancellation of his bail, as we suspect that he may also hold passports from other countries.’

Asked about the recovery of bomb-like objects in Kamalapur and Ashulia, the home minister said, ‘We took coordinated measures to ensure the security of both the Rath Yatra and the Ulto Rath Yatra. Our law enforcement agencies and intelligence services worked in close coordination. There were no untoward incidents, and both events were held peacefully.’

‘However, on the day of the Ulto Rath Yatra, a bomb-like object was found inside an umbrella beneath a Metro Rail pillar in Motijheel area near Kamalapur. Two Ansar members spotted the object and alerted the police. The police cordoned off the area, and the Bomb Disposal Unit later removed the object and neutralised it through a controlled explosion.’

The home minister added, ‘There is no reason for the public to be overly alarmed. It appears that some group may have attempted to disrupt the communal harmony. We are treating the matter with utmost caution and conducting an investigation to identify those responsible.’