A Dhaka court placed a man on a two-day remand in connection with the attack, vandalism, and arson at the Karwan Bazar office of The Daily Star.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasib Ullah Piyas passed the order on Thursday after the investigating officer, DB Police SI Md Zahirul Islam, produced the accused, Md Saiful Islam, 32, before the court with a seven-day remand prayer. The order was confirmed by the defence lawyer, Md Mofazzal Hossain.
During the hearing, the investigating officer argued that Saiful’s involvement was preliminary identified through an analysis of his Facebook posts and statements provided by previously arrested suspects. He further said the remand was essential to identify other individuals involved in the assault and to recover looted property.
In contrast, the defence lawyer Mofazzal sought bail and the cancellation of the remand prayer, claiming that his client is a businessman. He was only in Karwan Bazar for professional reasons on the day a “mob” formed following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inqilab Moncho.
He further argued that while many individuals had publicly written against Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, they had not been detained, saying that Saiful was not involved in any looting, vandalism, or arson.
The incident occurred on 19 December at approximately 12:35am, when the building of the daily was attacked. The assailants reportedly vandalised the premises, looted valuables, and set fire to furniture and important documents. There were also allegations that staff members inside the building were physically assaulted.
Following the attack, The Daily Star Head of Operations Mizanur Rahman filed a case on 22 December with Tejgaon Police Station against 350 to 400 unidentified individuals.
