Police will take action against the 31 absconding accused, including BNP chief Khaleda Zia, in the Jatrabari arson attack case soon after getting arrest warrant.
“After filing charge sheet against 38 leaders and activists of the BNP-led 20-party alliance on Wednesday, also appealed to the court to issue an arrest warrant against the 31 absconding accused,” said Monirul Islam, head of the DB and spokesperson of DMP.
He was talking to reporters at his office in Minto Road in the city yesterday.
Two cases were filed under the explosives and special power acts in connection with the January 23 arson attack on a loaded bus in the capital’s Jatrabari area. The charge sheet was filed in the explosives act, said Monirul.
Police have found that 39 people were involved with the attack. One of the suspects was killed in a gunfight with police, so that the investigation officer pressed charges against 38.
Monirul said that soon after the attack that left one dead and several others injured, police arrested seven people. All of those seven had given confessional statements.
“The charge sheet was prepared on the basis statements from victims and witnesses,” the DB boss said.
At least 28 passengers sustained burns after a bus was firebombed in Jatrabari on January 23 during the BNP-led alliance’s nationwide blockade programme.
Monirul said Khaleda Zia is named as the mastermind and they need a warrant to arrest her and the other absconding accused who include a number of professional criminals.