State seeks stay on HC order barring Ivy's arrest without specific charges

The state has sought a stay on a High Court order that barred the arrest or harassment of former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy without specific charges against her, Ivy's lawyer Motahar Hossain Saju said today (19 May).

Police arrested Ivy at around 3am on 9 May last year at Chunka Kutir, her residence in the Deobhog area of the city. 

She was later shown arrested in multiple cases. 

Bail and stay orders

Subsequently, the High Court granted her bail in five cases. 

However, following an appeal by the state, the Appellate Division stayed those bail orders. 

Later, on 18 November, she was shown arrested in five more cases. 

On 26 February, the High Court granted her bail in those cases as well. 

But those bail orders were also stayed following state petitions. 

Most recently, the Appellate Division upheld her bail in all 10 cases. 

In the meantime, Siddhirganj police applied to have Ivy arrested in two murder cases, filed on 11 September 2024 and 30 June 2025. 

A Narayanganj chief judicial magistrate approved the applications to show her arrested in one case on 2 March and in the other on 12 April. 

A writ petition challenged the legality of that arrest procedure. 

Following a hearing on 26 April, the High Court issued a rule asking why the arrest orders in the two separate Siddhirganj police cases should not be declared beyond legal authority and contrary to fundamental rights. 

The High Court also directed authorities not to show her arrested or harass her without specific cases against her. 

The state later filed an application with the Appellate Division seeking a stay on that order.