CCTV cameras installed outside Ivy’s residence; visitor access restricted after release from jail

Former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy has returned home after spending more than a year in jail, with law enforcement authorities increasing surveillance around her residence and restricting access to visitors.

Ivy returned to her home on Wednesday night (3 June) after being released from Kashimpur jail.

Since last morning (4 June), crowds have begun gathering outside her residence.

A visit to the area found CCTV cameras installed by the police in front of and around Ivy’s residence.

Confirming the matter, Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sajedur Rahman said, “It is our internal matter. CCTV cameras have been installed for security and overall monitoring purposes.”

Although the family has not made any official statement, the installation of the cameras have reportedly discouraged some people, including local Awami League leaders and activists, from visiting Ivy.

A photograph taken inside the residence showed Ivy speaking with relatives, including her brother-in-law and Narayanganj district Juba League President Abdul Kadir.

Ivy’s brother, Ali Reza Ujjal, told The Business Standard that she is currently spending time with family and that further decisions will be announced after considering the situation.

Selina Hayat Ivy is the former senior vice-president of Narayanganj district Awami League.

After 5 August 2024, while other Awami League public representatives in Narayanganj reportedly left the area, Ivy remained at her residence and continued attending office regularly until she was removed from the post of city mayor.

On Wednesday night, Ivy was released from Kashimpur Central Women’s Prison after securing bail in all 12 cases filed against her in connection with incidents linked to the July Uprising.

Her release follows a series of court rulings over recent months that gradually cleared the legal obstacles to her freedom. On 10 May, the Supreme Court upheld High Court bail orders in two murder cases linked to the July Uprising.

Earlier, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed a “no order” on two state petitions seeking a stay on High Court bail orders issued on 30 April. The Appellate Division had also previously upheld High Court bail orders in 10 other cases filed against Ivy.

With bail secured in all 12 cases and no further detention orders in place, she became eligible for release from prison and was subsequently freed from Kashimpur jail.

Police arrested her from her Deobhog residence in Narayanganj in the early hours of 9 May 2025.