Miscreants have launched attacks on the houses of two Supreme Court judges who on Wednesday directed the government to stop publication and broadcast of statements by BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman in print, electronic and social media.
Police yesterday arrested a local Jubo Dal leader for his alleged involvement in torching the village home of Justice Kazi Reza-Ul Hoque at Mohammadpur in Dholia of the district early yesterday.
No one was present at the house during the fire. However, the furniture in a room turned into ashes.
Meanwhile, miscreants hurled two hand bombs at the residence of another judge of the same bench Justice Abu Taher M Saifur Rahman around 6:30pm.
Rezaul Islam, assistant commissioner of Dhanmondi zone, said two persons riding a motorcycle hurled the bombs. Police retaliated with two rounds of bullets, but failed to catch the attackers.
Caretaker Khurshid Alam of Justcie Reza’s house said he had found two rooms of the house on fire in the morning. As he screamed, locals came and doused the fire. He lives in a small room beside the house.
Local lawmaker Nizam Uddin Hazari and high officials of police visited the spot. Police picked up Khurshid for questioning and later released him.
The lone arrestee, Nizam Uddin Patwary, is the general secretary of Dholia union Jubo Dal, BNP’s youth wing.
Until filing of the report at 10pm, police were preparing to file a case over the arson attack. On Wednesday, the High Court bench of Justice Reza and Justice Abu Taher ordered the government to prohibit all media (electronic, print, social) to publish any statement by Tarique “until he remains a fugitive in the eyes of law.”
Tarique, the elder son of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, is facing dozens of cases for corruption, criminal offence and making derogatory remarks about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A number of arrest warrant were also issued against him.
He has been staying in London since 2008 on parole for treatment.
The court on Wednesday also directed the foreign secretary to submit a compliance report with regard to Tarique’s present status while the inspector general of police was asked to inform it about Tarique’s passport within 30 days.
Justice Reza’s cousin Rumel said the BNP-Jamaat supporters might be behind the attack since the same judge earlier gave verdict in the corruption case against Khaleda and Tarique, and also cancelling the registration of BNP’s key ally Jamaat-e-Islami. Rumel’s family resides in the same village.
Trials in the Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust cases are under way while an appeal against the cancellation of Jamaat’s registration, by the High Court, is pending with the Appellate Division.
