A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for R. A. M Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, former Minister of Housing and Public Works, in connection with the murder of BNP activist Mokbul Hossain. 

The decision was issued on Friday (Nov 1) by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court’s Magistrate Mehera Mahbub after police produced Moktadir in the court and appealed for a 10-day remand. 

Sub-Inspector Nazmul Hasan of the Paltan Model Police Station, the investigating officer, argued for the remand, while defense lawyers sought bail. 

After hearing both sides, the court denied bail and approved five days of police custody for further interrogation.

On October 31, Moktadir was apprehended by law enforcers from Dhaka’s Shewrapara area in Mirpur around 12:30 am.

The case dates back to December 7, 2022, when a team led by then-DB officer Harun-Or-Rashid, along with DMP officers Mehedi Hasan and Biplob Kumar, reportedly raided BNP headquarters in Naya Paltan. During the operation, thousands of BNP activists present their faced police assault, resulting in the death of Mokbul Hossain.

In response to the incident, Mahfuzur Rahman filed a case on September 30, naming 256 individuals, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as defendants. This high-profile investigation continues to attract significant public attention as authorities pursue further leads.

BDST: 1534 HRS, NOV 01, 2024
MSK