A Dhaka court has placed former social welfare minister Dr Dipu Moni on a four-day remand in connection with the murder of jhoot trader Monir Hossain, who was killed during the July uprising in the capital’s Shahbagh area.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Arifur Rahman issued the order on Monday after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
Earlier in the day, Shahbagh Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Mainul Islam Khan Pulok, the investigating officer in the case, produced Dipu Moni before the court and sought a 10-day remand for interrogation.
Public Prosecutor Advocate Omar Faruq Faruqi supported the remand plea on behalf of the state, while the defense team sought cancellation of the remand and filed a bail petition. After the hearing, the court granted a four-day remand.
According to the case statement, on 5 August last year, jhoot trader Monir Hossain joined a demonstration of students and citizens protesting discrimination in the capital’s Chankharpul area under Shahbagh Police Station.
Monir was reportedly shot dead on the spot when the accused allegedly opened fire on the protesters.
Monir’s wife, Rozina Akter, later filed a murder case with Shahbagh Police Station on 14 March this year, naming 351 people as accused and 500 others as unidentified.
Police arrested Dr Dipu Moni from the Baridhara area of Dhaka on 19 August last year.
Since then, she has been arrested and remanded in several other cases related to murder and attempted murder filed in connection with the post–July unrest.
