'How many husbands have you had?': Judge steps in as prosecutor digs into Momtaz’s private life

The bail hearing for former MP and folk singer Momtaz Begum took a contentious turn when the prosecution lawyer began asking her for the names of her husband and father, prompting the judge to intervene.

Momtaz was brought to court on Saturday following a four-day remand in the case over the murder of hawker Md Sagar during the July Uprising in Dhaka’s Mirpur. The case's investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Monirul Islam of Mirpur Model Police Station, applied for her to be kept in jail.

On the other hand, Momtaz’s lawyer Masudur Rahman sought bail, saying: "She has no involvement with the incident in any way. Although she is named in the FIR, there are no specific allegations against her. She is also physically unwell. I request bail on her behalf."

In response, Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor (PP) Omar Faruq Faruqi opposed the bail and said: "The prime minister, speaker, deputy speaker, ministers, MPs, former ministers and MPs, the khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, the chief justice, Dhaka Metropolitan PP -- all fled together. This is a rare occurrence in world history. After Momtaz Begum’s arrest, I saw people distributing sweets in her area. That tells you how people suffered because of her.

"She went from the streets to Parliament. In that sacred place, she rendered musical performances and made disrespectful remarks against the opposition. She defiled and disgraced Parliament. Who should be in Parliament? Lawmakers, educated and erudite people. Those who aren’t even qualified to be local councillors became MPs through vote rigging and midnight elections."

He continued: "She stood in Parliament and asked for the names of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s fathers. Then tell me, what’s your father's name? How many husbands have you had? What's your husband's name?"

At that point, the judge intervened and told him to stick to the case-related issues.

PP Omar Faruq then said: "She has spent her career assassinating people’s characters and insulting the opposition. I don't understand how defence lawyers can seek bail for someone like that. The law may offer protection, but the people do not. They [former leaders] cannot even come out in public. People catch them before the police do and hand them over. They have committed such anti-people actions. Granting her bail would be a threat to the country and democracy. It will obstruct the investigation. I request that bail be denied."