A Dhaka court on Thursday postponed the hearing to frame charges against former law minister Anisul Huq in an arms case until 26 October.
The case, filed with Banani Police Station, stems from allegations that he failed to surrender his licensed firearm after the government revoked personal weapon licences.
Acting Judge Mosaddek Minhaj of the Fourth Special Tribunal of Dhaka passed the order as the presiding judge, Moin Uddin Chowdhury, was on leave.
Bench Assistant Golam Nabi confirmed the matter, noting that Anisul was produced before the court from prison during the proceedings.
Earlier on 23 August, the court had set 24 September for the charge framing hearing but deferred it after granting a time petition submitted by the defence.
According to the case documents, Anisul held a valid licence for a pistol under Banani Police Station.
Following the fall of Awami League government on 5 August 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs suspended all firearm licences issued for personal security between 6 January 2009 and 5 August 2024.
The ministry instructed all licence holders to deposit their weapons at their respective police stations by 3 September 2024.
However, the case alleges that Anisul did not surrender his licensed firearm at the police station by 5 May 2025, nor did he notify the authorities.
Police officers visited his recorded address but found no one present, and no record of the weapon being deposited could be located.
Additionally, investigations revealed no record of him purchasing ammunition for the pistol.
As a result, Anisul is accused of committing an offence under Section 19(1) of the Arms Act, 1878. The police completed the investigation and submitted a charge sheet against him in court.
According to First Information Report (FIR), Sub-Inspector (SI) Jane Alam Dulal filed the case as plaintiff at Banani Police Station on 24 May 2025.
Police had previously arrested Anisul from the capital’s Sadarghat area on 13 August 2024.
Following the fall of the Awami League government, he was shown arrested and remanded in several murder and attempted murder cases, and he currently remains in prison.
