DHAKA: A Dhaka court placed BNP chairperson and ex-PM Khaleda Zia`s nephew Saiful Islam Duke on four days’ remand in the August 21 grenade-attack case, taking the probe close into the corridors of power of the past government.

Duke was also private secretary to the then prime minister, Khaleda Zia.

Third Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ali Hussain passed the order as DB police super Abdul Kahhar Akand produced him before the court with seven days’ remand prayer.

Advocate Sanaullah Mia, lawyer for Duke, prayed bail for his client against the remand order, but the court rejected the plea.

CID police arrested Duke in the August 21, 2004 grenade-attack case on Wednesday, as the reinvestigation into the incident took newer turns, implicating some functionaries of the then government.

Former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar and ex-deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu are also implicated in this sensational case of grenade blasts at present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s anti-terrorism Awami League rally in Dhaka’s Bangabandhu Avenue.

The attack left 24 people, including AL leader Ivy Rahman, wife of President Zillur Rahman, dead and many injured.        

Duke’s passport was impounded earlier.

BDST: 1847 HRS, AUG 26, 2010