'DGFI stint was a black chapter of my career,' former general Mamun tells court

Former director general of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) retired lieutenant general Sheikh Mamun Khaled has described his tenure at the helm of the military intelligence agency as a "black chapter" of his career.

He made the remark on Thursday while pleading for clemency before the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Jonaid.

The court placed him on a three-day police custody for questioning in connection with the 2022 murder of BNP activist Mokbul Hossain.

"I served for 44 years. Out of that, I was the head of DGFI for one year and eight months. That period was a black chapter for me," Mamun told the court.

He emphasised his academic background, noting that he holds three PhDs and five Master’s degrees.

"I have never been involved in politics. I spent 22 years in academic life and served as the vice-chancellor of BUP. After retirement, I taught at a Canadian university. I seek compassion," he added.

The defence’s plea for bail was opposed by Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi.

The prosecutor alleged that during Mamun’s leadership from 2011 to 2013, the DGFI was "extremely politicised".

"He was an associate of the ‘fascist’ [Sheikh] Hasina. Hundreds of Army officers who did not support her were forced out, while those who cooperated were rewarded with postings even after retirement," Faruqi argued.

He sought a seven-day remand to investigate the general's alleged involvement in the 2022 Naya Paltan violence.

Mamun was produced in court on Thursday after completing 14 days of remand in a separate murder case involving the death of one Delwar Hossain during the July Uprising.

While he was sent to jail in that case, he was granted fresh remand for the Mokbul murder case.

The hearing was marked by a brief moment of tension when a police officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mosharraf Hossain, reportedly shouted at the retired general for attempting to speak with his two daughters behind the dock.

When asked about the incident, the ASI said: "He was constantly talking. Is it allowed to talk this much without the court's permission? That is why I stopped him."

One of his daughters later told bdnews24.com they were merely checking on their father’s health.

Mamun was arrested by detectives in Mirpur in the wee hours of Mar 26.

The fresh case in which Mamun was remanded centred on the death of Mokbul, who was fatally shot on Dec 7, 2022.

The incident occurred during a police raid on the BNP's central office in Naya Paltan, just days before the party’s scheduled mass rally.

The raid, allegedly led by high-profile police officials such as Harun-or-Rashid and Biplob Kumar Sarker, resulted in widespread vandalism and clashes.

Following the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024, a formal complaint was lodged on Sept 30 by one Mahfuzur Rahman.

The murder case names former prime minister Hasina and 255 others as suspects.