Dabirul Islam, a senior Awami League leader and former lawmaker for the Thakurgaon-2 constituency, has been released on bail after spending more than one and a half years in custody.

Dinajpur District Jail Superintendent Farhad Sarkar said the release was reported at 7:10pm on Thursday (February 19). Earlier that day, a court in Thakurgaon granted him bail.

The seven-time MP was arrested on charges of land grabbing and extortion following the fall of the Awami League government during the 2024 mass uprising.

His son, Mazharul Islam Sujan – also a former MP – was arrested in connection with the same case.

He remains in Dinajpur Jail.

Dabirul’s brother Mohammad Ali, who serves as the president of the Baliadangi Upazila Awami League, said the former MP’s health has significantly deteriorated during his lengthy incarceration.

“He has been taken to Dhaka for advanced medical treatment,” he added.

The release comes shortly after the death of another prominent local politician — Ramesh Chandra Sen.

The Awami League presidium member and former MP for Thakurgaon-1 died while in custody at Dinajpur Jail on Feb 7.