DHAKA: Police will start the process to arrest BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia after issuance of warrant by the court for her arrest in a case of arson attack on a bus in city’s Jatrabari area.

Joint Commissioner of Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police M Monirul Islam confirmed the matter at DB headquarters on Thursday afternoon.

The senior DB officer further said that on January 23, a group of miscreants hurled petrol bombs on a passenger bus in Jatrabari’s Kather Pool area during BNP-led 20-paty’s nationwide blockade-hartal, leaving a passenger dead and 28 critically burned.

Immediately after the attack, a patrol team of police and locals chased the perpetrators.

The joint commissioner of police also said two cases were filed in this connection—one under explosives act and another under special power act.

In the explosive act case, Khaleda Zia, chief of 20-party alliance, was made accused.  Actually, leaders and activists of her party conducted the attack to force people to observe the blockade-hartal, called by their leader.
 
On Wednesday, Detective Branch (DB) of Police submitted charge-sheet against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia in the case under explosives act on a passenger bus in city’s Jartabari area.

The charge-sheet also included 37 other accused in the case.


He said seven people were arrested in the case. Of the accused, 31 are on the run. An appeal has been filed with the court to issue warrant against the fugitives. BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, leader of the 20-party alliance, was made the key accused as mastermind of the attack.

Besides, some of the accused are from other professions who are involved in the incident by giving speeches. The people who gave financial support in the incident were made accused in the charge sheet.

According to Monirul Islam, Khaleda Zia was made number 1 accused on basis on specific confessional statement.

Charge sheet of another case is being prepared for submission, he added.

BDST: 1911 HRS, MAY 07, 2015
SR/RS