A court in Dhaka on Thursday sent accused Md Iman Ullah alias Mastan to jail following the completion of his three-day police remand in connection with the deadly fire at a gas lighter factory in Kadamtali, Keraniganj of the capital.
Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Tanvir Ahmed issued the order after a hearing Thursday afternoon.
The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Md Rafiqul Islam of Keraniganj Police, had requested the court to detain the accused in custody after presenting him in court. South Keraniganj Police Sub-Inspector Arif confirmed the detention.
According to the case, the fire erupted on 4 April at Acer Gas Pro Factory on Ambagicha Lane, Kadamtali, claiming six lives.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused, along with others, had allegedly been operating the factory illegally for eight to ten years, employing around 50-60 workers, including children, in a densely populated area.
Despite repeated raids by law enforcement, army personnel, and magistrates to seal the factory, the accused allegedly reopened it with the help of accomplices, using highly flammable materials.
Reports suggest that the factory was run unlawfully in a crowded area, endangering lives and flouting safety regulations, which led to the tragic fire.
In addition to Iman Ullah, two others are facing charges in the case- the factory owner, Md Akram Ullah Akram, and his son, Ahnaf Akif Akram.
The case was filed by South Keraniganj Police Sub-Inspector Jewel Rana.
