Former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy appeared before a Narayanganj court on Tuesday in connection with a case over an alleged attack on police, marking her first court appearance since being released on bail nearly two months ago.
Ivy appeared before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Nurul Huda Chowdhury, where proceedings were held regarding the acceptance of the chargesheet in the case.
The former mayor was released on bail on 4 June after spending 391 days at Kashimpur Female Central Jail in Gazipur. She had been arrested from her Debhog residence, known as Chunka Kutir, in a murder case linked to the anti-discrimination student movement.
Investigators later showed that she had been arrested in 12 additional cases involving allegations of murder and attempted murder.
Tuesday’s hearing came 55 days after her release.
Speaking to reporters after leaving the courtroom, Ivy maintained her innocence and said that she had consistently opposed violence and injustice throughout her political career.
“I am being treated as a criminal despite being innocent,” she said.
She added that she had always spoken out against killings, torture and oppression in Narayanganj, expressing confidence that justice would ultimately prevail and that local residents would judge her fairly.
Following the hearing, Ivy left the court premises and returned to her residence in Debhog.
A large number of her supporters gathered outside the court from the morning, while law enforcement officers remained on duty to maintain order throughout the proceedings.
According to her lawyer, Awlad Hossain, the case stems from an incident on the day of Ivy’s arrest, when vehicles carrying her under police escort to the office of the district superintendent of police allegedly came under attack. The case was subsequently filed with Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station.
Her lawyer said, “Tuesday’s appearance was required under court procedure because she is currently out on bail. However, the defence submitted a petition seeking an exemption from future personal appearances, citing her lengthy imprisonment and ongoing health concerns.
The court approved the request, meaning Ivy will not be required to attend future hearings in person until the trial formally begins.
The legal proceedings are among a series of cases that remain pending against the former mayor following her arrest in 2025. The court’s latest order allows the case to proceed while relieving her of the obligation to appear at every preliminary hearing before the trial stage.
