TDS Desk:

BNP senior leader Lutfozzaman Babar walked out of the Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj at 1.45pm Thursday, nearly 17 years after he was put behind bars.

The prison’s Senior Jail Superintendent Suraiya Akter confirmed the development to reporters.

BNP media cell also confirmed Babar’s release. He is scheduled to offer prayers at the grave of BNP founder and former Bangladesh president Ziaur Rahman, before reaching his Gulshan residence.

Babar was the home minister in the last BNP-led government during 2001-2007 and was elected as  a BNP lawmaker from the Netrokona-4 constituency.