Granting the bail, a division bench comprising Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury and Justice SM Emdadul Haque issued a rule upon the government to explain why he should not be granted regular bail.

Army-led joint forces arrested Kamran, also city Awami League president, on April 6.

Ekramur Reza, an assistant inspector of the now-defunct Bureau of Anti-Corruption, had filed the case with Kotwali Police Station, Sylhet, on May 8, 2003.

According to the case, the mayor in connivance with others leased out the city's Shibganj kitchen market, "violating the rules and misappropriating about Tk 23.5 lakh", for construction of the market.

Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, deputy commissioner of Comilla zone of the Anti-Corruption Commission, also the investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet to the court on February 7, 2007, accusing the mayor and others.

The case is now pending with Sylhet Divisional Special Tribunal.

Advocate Mahbubey Alam with Abdul Matin Khasru appeared for the Mayor.