Warrant issued against 67 leaders and activists of 20-party alliance

Dhaka Senior Special Court 1 Judge Md Kamrul Hossain Molla issued the warrants after accepting the charges brought against 93 BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists in the case. The warrants were issued as the BNP-Jamaat leaders and activists did not appear before the court during yesterday’s hearing in the case. The court also directed the officer-in-charge of Motijheel police station to submit reports by October 10 on the execution of the arrest warrants. The other accused in the case includes – BNP Joint Secretary General Barkatullah Bulu, BNP chief’s Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, BNP chief’s Personal Assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, former Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal president Azizul Bari Helal, Swechchhasebak Dal President Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, its Secretary Meer Sharafat Ali Safu and Saiful Islam Nirob. BNP Joint Secretary General Amanullah Aman, BNP standing committee member MK Anwar, Journalist leader Shawkat Mahmud and 23 other accused in the case are now on bail. On February 1, last year, some miscreants hurled three petrol bombs and set a bus of Bagdad Express afire in Gopibagh area of the city during a countrywide hartal and blockade programme sponsored by the 20-party alliance. Later, Md Shafiul Azam, sub-inspector of Motijheel police station filed a case against 67 people and several others unnamed persons on the same day with Motijheel police. On March 31 this year, Md Shafiqul Islam Akand, sub-inspector and also the investigation officer of the case, submitted a charge sheet before the court against the 93 BNP-Jamaat leaders and activist in the case.