For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Police have been granted three days to interrogate former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak in custody over the murder of Chhatra Dal leader Manik Mia, who was fatally shot during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Dhaka’s Chankharpul.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefatullah issued the order in response to the police's application for a seven-day remand after presenting Palak in court on Monday.
Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi argued for the remand order while Palak’s lawyer Farzana Yasmin Rakhi unsuccessfully sought bail on his behalf. reports bdnews24.com.
During the hearing, Rakhi contended that the Awami League leader had been placed under arrest in 46 cases and had already spent 31 days on remand. "On Nov 9, he was remanded in a case filed at Jatrabari Police Station, during which he fell ill and was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
"He is suffering from back pain and cannot travel or use a low commode. Despite multiple interrogations in custody, no new information has been uncovered. Considering his health, we request the remand application be dismissed and suggest questioning him at the jail gate if necessary.”
Faruq countered, saying, “Preliminary investigations reveal that 1,581 people were killed during the Anti-Discrimination Movement. Based on this, he should face 1,581 cases. While he claims illness in court, he shows no hesitation in committing murders outside. More murder cases may surface against him. I strongly request the maximum remand.”
The case alleges that Chhatra Dal leader Manik Mia, a resident of Munshiganj, was shot in the head and killed on Aug 5. A complaint filed at Dhaka’s CMM Court by Raju Ahmed named Sheikh Hasina and 79 others as the accused, with Palak listed as the second suspect.
After the fall of the Awami League government on Aug 5 in the face of a student-led mass uprising, many former ministers and party leaders went into hiding as Sheikh Hasina resigned her premiership and fled to India. Palak was arrested in Dhaka's Nikunja on Aug 15.
On Aug 6, media reports emerged that Palak had been detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while attempting to leave the country.
Police later confirmed his arrest on Aug 15. On the same day, former deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku and Dhaka University Chhatra League General Secretary Tanveer Hasan Saikat were also arrested. They, along with Palak, now face multiple cases, including charges of murder, filed in Dhaka and other areas.