Calcutta High Court Grants Interim Bail in 11-Year-Old Murder Case

The Calcutta High Court has granted interim bail to Ishtiaq Ahamad, accused of killing his two minor stepdaughters more than 11 years ago, due to delay in the trial's completion. Despite being in custody since 2013, the trial has seen little progress. The interim bail will last until November 2024 or further orders.

The Calcutta High Court has granted interim bail to Ishtiaq Ahamad, who has been in custody for over 11 years on charges of murdering his two minor stepdaughters. The court cited delays in the trial's progress as the reason for the bail.

The bodies of the two girls, aged 9 and 15, were discovered near Dhakuria and Park Circus railway stations in January 2012. Ahamad, the stepfather, was accused of the murders and has been in custody since his arrest in 2013.

A division bench led by Justice Arijit Banerjee noted the prolonged trial and ordered Ahamad's interim release, stipulating conditions including a Rs 10,000 bond and reporting to local police twice a week. The interim bail will extend until November 2024 or until further orders.

(With inputs from agencies.)