A local BNP leader in Gazipur has been accused of forcibly taking away his brother, a murder suspect, from police custody after his arrest.
The incident took place at Shirirchala (Pantex intersection) in Gazipur Sadar upazila around 8pm on Saturday, Joydebpur police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Halim confirmed.
The accused, Billal Hossain, 45, general secretary of Ward No. 1 BNP in Bhawalgarh Union, is the son of the late Momtaz Uddin of Shirirchala village.
His younger brother, Jalal Uddin Jalu, was arrested in connection with the murder of Jewel, who was killed during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Gazipur. Jalu is the 91st accused in the case filed with Sreepur police station.
The victim, Jewel, was the son of Abdul Hai from Singdai village in Mymensingh’s Nandail upazila. He worked as an operator at the Crown Sweater factory while living in a rented house in Maona Uttarpara.
According to police, Jewel was killed on August 5 during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Maona (Palli Bidyut intersection). Following his death, his wife Zubeda Akhter filed a murder case with Sreepur police station.
Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Jalu from Shirirchala (Pantex More) on Saturday evening. However, upon learning of the arrest, his elder brother Billal Hossain and some associates arrived at the scene and confronted the police. A heated altercation ensued, during which they allegedly pushed the officers and forcibly freed Jalu.
Denying the allegations, Billal Hossain said: "The claims against me are completely false. Some miscreants are spreading rumours. However, I have heard that my younger brother has been arrested. I was not at the scene and have no knowledge of the incident."
Joydebpur OC Abdul Halim said: "We are aware of the incident, and legal action is being taken accordingly."