A Dhaka court has granted a seven-day remand for actor Siddikur Rahman in connection with an attempted murder case filed over the shooting of van driver Jobbar Ali Howlader in Gulshan during the anti-discrimination movement last year.
The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Abdus Salam of Gulshan Police Station submitted a 10-day remand prayer before the court on Wednesday. Following the hearing, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah granted a bail prayer for seven days.
The case stems from an incident on July 19, 2024, when protesters gathered near Confidence Tower in Gulshan’s Shahjadpur area to protest against the systemic discrimination facilitated by the fallen Awami League government.
During the protest, shots were reportedly fired, injuring Jobbar Ali, who later filed a case with Gulshan Police Station. The case names 109 individuals as accused, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Siddik, known for his work in film and television, has also been involved in politics. During the Awami League government, he reportedly sought party nominations multiple times to contest elections from Gulshan in Dhaka and Madhupur in Tangail. He had been publicly associated with the party and been seen attending its rallies and events.
The actor was detained on Tuesday (April 29) following an incident near Bailey Road, where a group of demonstrators reportedly harassed and physically assaulted him, labelling him a ‘fascist enabler’.
A video gone viral on social media shows Siddik being manhandled, his T-shirt visibly torn during the scuffle. He was subsequently handed over to Ramna Police Station, from where he was later transferred to Gulshan Police.