A Dhaka court on Tuesday placed 11 individuals on a two-day remand each in connection with a case involving a massive attack, vandalism, and looting at the ‘Uttara Square Shopping-cum-Commercial Complex’.
Metropolitan Magistrate Kamal Uddin passed the order after rejecting the bail petitions filed by the accused. The Investigation Officer (IO), Sub-Inspector Md Sumon Mia of Uttara West Police Station, had produced the suspects before the court, seeking a seven-day remand.
After the hearing, the court granted two days for interrogation. Sub-Inspector Shamim of the Prosecution Department confirmed the court’s decision.
The remanded individuals have been identified as Md Monir Alam, 32, Md Mojibor Rahman, 20, Md Hridoy, 19, Md Monjurul, 32, Md Mohabbat Ali, 18, Shah Poran, 19, Md Shakil, 19, Md Rashidul Islam alias A Rashid, 27, Md Saju, 24, Md Liton, 24, and Jihad, 19. They were arrested on Monday night for their suspected involvement in the violence.
During the proceedings, defense lawyers, including Dilip Kumar Sarkar, argued for bail, stating there was no evidence linking the suspects to the incident.
They claimed that several of the accused are rickshaw pullers and day labourers who were not present at the scene. Advocate Sarkar further argued that the charges were bailable and that the IO failed to specify any specific items to be recovered from them.
According to the case statement, the unrest began around 9:30pm on the day of the incident at the complex located on Sonargaon Janapad Road in Sector 13, Uttara West. It reportedly started with an altercation between a rickshaw puller and a security guard. The rickshaw puller and 15–20 unidentified associates subsequently attacked the security personnel and complex staff, leaving them seriously injured.
Following the initial scuffle, rumours spread, prompting a mob of approximately 600–700 people, armed with sticks and iron rods, to storm the shopping complex. The attackers smashed glass panels on the ground and first floors.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the attackers allegedly looted goods worth Tk10 lakh from ‘Khazana Varieties Store’ and jewellery worth Tk5 lakh from ‘KZ Imitation Jewellery’. The total damage to the complex is estimated at Tk9 crore.
When police and army personnel arrived to restore order, the mob pelted the law enforcement officers with bricks and set fire to the road. Police eventually regained control of the situation after a prolonged chase, during which they used sound grenades and gas shells.
The case was filed with Uttara West Police Station by Ariful Islam, an electrician at the shopping complex. The IO informed the court that the remand is essential to identify the masterminds behind the attack, recover the stolen Tk15 lakh, and apprehend other unidentified suspects.
