The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has taken Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former MP Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman into custody following an altercation at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
“DB has taken him into custody,” confirmed DB Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam.
Asked about the situation, he said: “DB personnel are at his house. He will accompany them once he finishes his prayers.”
A case has been filed against Jamaat leader Major (retd) Akhteruzzaman over allegations of creating disorder at the airport, obstructing government officials in performing their duties and physically assaulting an on-duty security officer amid a shortage of luggage trolleys.
Airport security officer Md Shahriar Alam Sajib filed the case with Airport Police Station on Friday under several sections of the Penal Code.
According to the case statement, a shortage of luggage trolleys and delays in baggage delivery occurred around 10:40am on October 1 at baggage belt No 8 due to heavy passenger pressure following the arrival of a flight (BG-338) from Madinah.
As tensions among passengers escalated, Airport Executive Director Group Captain SM Ragib Samad went to the spot at the request of Dhaka-5 MP Mohammad Kamal Hossain.
The statement alleges that while the executive director was trying to calm the situation, Akhteruzzaman approached him aggressively and verbally abused him. He allegedly threatened the official, saying, “I will beat you up” and “I will throw you out by the neck.”
He also allegedly made highly offensive remarks about the civil aviation and tourism minister.
The situation reportedly worsened when protocol assistants accompanying Akhteruzzaman began recording videos on their mobile phones inside the airport’s restricted Key Point Installation (KPI) area.
When security supervisor Warrant Officer Mohammad Kamal Uddin asked them to stop recording, Akhteruzzaman allegedly became angry, verbally abused him and physically assaulted him.
He is also accused of throwing bottles of holy Zamzam water collected by passengers from trolleys, damaging them, and behaving aggressively towards a representative of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
The complainant said Akhteruzzaman’s actions obstructed government officials from performing their duties at the sensitive and restricted facility, threatening to disrupt normal airport security and order.
The case was filed under Sections 186, 189, 294, 323, 352, 353, 504 and 506 of the Penal Code on allegations of obstructing public servants, causing hurt, using criminal force, intentional insult and criminal intimidation.
Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kamrul Hasan Talukder confirmed the filing of the case, saying an investigation was underway.
Asked whether Akhteruzzaman would be arrested, the OC said, “We cannot say anything about that at this stage. Since a case has been filed, we will investigate the matter and take necessary legal action.”