I am innocent but I am guilty, says Selina Hayat Ivy as she appears in court

Former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation and former senior vice-president of the district Awami League, Selina Hayat Ivy, has appeared in court in a case filed against her for attacking the police. 

After the appearance she told reporters: “I am innocent but I am guilty.”

Ivy appeared in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Nurul Huda Chowdhury of Narayanganj around 11am on Tuesday. Her lawyer, Advocate Awlad Hossain, confirmed the matter.

In a brief conversation with reporters after leaving the court, Ivy said: “I am innocent but I am guilty. I have always protested in Narayanganj. I have spoken against murder, torture and injustice. Today I am the criminal! Anyway, Allah will judge this. I have Narayanganj residents, they will also see.”

After the remarks she left the court premises and headed for Deobhog’s house. At that time her followers were seen staying in the court premises. Additional law-enforcement personnel were deployed there to avoid an unpleasant situation.

Ivy’s lawyer Awlad Hossain said that Tuesday was the day to receive the charge sheet in the case filed at Sadar Model Police Station in the attack on a law-enforcement convoy when she was taken to the district police superintendent’s office after her arrest on May 9 last year. Since Ivy was on bail in that case, she appeared as directed by the court.

He said: “Ivy has been in jail for a long time. She is also physically ill. That is why, we applied for exemption from personal appearance.”

The court granted the application and exempted Ivy from appearing in court personally until the trial begins. Her lawyer will be present in court at that time.

Ivy was arrested from her residence “Chunka Kutir” in Deobhog, Narayanganj, in a murder case that took place during the anti-discrimination movement on May 9 last year. Later she was arrested in a total of 12 cases, including murder and attempt to murder.

She was released on bail on June 4 this year after spending 391 days in Kashimpur Central Women’s Jail in Gazipur.