A Dhaka court on Monday ordered a five-day remand for Haji Mohammad Salim, former Awami League MP and owner of Madina Group, in a case filed for the murder of Khalid Hasan Saifullah, an HSC first year student of Ideal College, during the street protests in Azimpur on July 18.
The order was issued following a hearing at the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Akteruzzaman. Sub-Inspector Akkas Mia of Lalbagh police station prayed for a 10-day remand for Haji Salim in the case.
Saifullah’s father Kamrul Islam lodged the case accusing 52, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, of the death of his son during demonstrations in the Azimpur residential area on August 19.
Haji Salim is also accused in several cases filed over the deaths during the July uprising. A team of the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested him early on Monday.
A three-time MP from Dhaka-7 constituency, Haji Salim was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in 2022 for amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income. He later obtained bail from the High Court. In the 12th national elections, his son, Mohammad Solaiman Salim, was elected on the Awami League ticket.
Haji Salim was produced in court around 3:30pm and kept in the CMM court cell. At 3:40pm, when the former MP was produced before the magistrate, he started crying. He was seen repeatedly wiping his eyes.
At the time, his lawyer Prananath sought the court's permission to take the accused's signature on the power of attorney. When he went to Haji Salim, the accused said he could not sign. Later, Prananath filed the document with his fingerprint.
According to his election affidavit, however, Haji Salim studied up to Class IX.
During the remand hearing, Public Prosecutor Asaduzzaman and pro-BNP lawyer Omar Farooq Farooqui also prayed for a 10-day remand.
On the other hand, defence counsel Prananath prayed for cancelling the remand and sought bail. He argued that it was a murder case. This case has nothing to do with illegal grabbing of land and markets. At this time, the pro-BNP lawyers present in court shouted, saying that these issues are linked. Prananath then said the case statement clearly states that the killings were carried out at the behest of the deputy commissioner of police of the Lalbagh division. Therefore, it is necessary to place the police official on remand.
