Two separate charge sheets were submitted against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 37 leaders and activists of the BNP-led 20-party alliance in an arson attack on a bus on January 23 in the capital’s Jatrabari area.
Sub-Inspector Bashir Ahmed of the Detective Branch (DB) of police, also the investigation officer of the cases, submitted the charge sheets yesterday to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrates’ court (CMM).
The charge sheets were submitted in two separate cases – one for killing and the other under the Explosive Substances Act.
Confirming the submission, SI Ujir Ali, general recording officer of CMM court, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Two separate charges sheets were submitted against 38 people including Khaleda Zia in a case.”
The other accused include advocate Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, BNP leader MK Anwar, Shimul Biswas, Maruf Kamal Khan, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Barkat Ullah Bulu, Amanullah Aman, Habibu-Nabi Khan Sohel and Azizul Bari Helal.
At least 28 people suffered burns as two petrol bombs thrown by suspected blockaders exploded inside a bus at Jatrabari on January 23. Of the injured, Nur Alam, 60, died at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital on February 1. A day after the incident, SI KM Nuruzzaman filed the case with Jatrabari police station against 68 BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists mentioning Khaleda Zia’s name as an abettor.
According to the case statement, the BNP chief called for a non-stop blockade across the country on January 5 to topple the incumbent government.
Following the order, BNP leaders ordered the party men and associate organisations to carry out acts of sabotage.
Following their directives, former BNP lawmaker Salauddin Ahmed, Tanvir Ahmed, Robin, Nabiullah Nabi, Badal Commissioner, Atiqullah Khan and Shahin and 50 others carried out the arson attack on a bus at Jatrabari in the city, the case statement said.
18 BNP leaders were accused for planning the attack and 50 party activists of its Jatrabari unit were sued for executing the plan.