Former director of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Afzal Naser has been placed on a four-day remand in connection with the murder of BNP activist Mukbul Hossain in 2022.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefatullah issued the order on Wednesday following a request from investigating officer Sub-Inspector Tofazzal Hossain, who had sought a seven-day remand.
Afzal Naser had already been in remand since Sunday in the same case, confirmed SI Roknuzzaman of the Prosecution Department.
Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested Afzal Naser, a former army lieutenant colonel, from a residence in Mirpur’s DOHS area on 29 March. The following day, a six-day remand was granted in connection with the death of Delwar Hossain during the July uprising.
This marks the third time police have sought his remand in the case.
During the hearing, Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruki described Afzal Naser as a collaborator and beneficiary under the “fascist Hasina regime” and requested four days to obtain additional information pertinent to the investigation.
Defence lawyer Helal Uddin sought to cancel the remand, arguing that Afzal Naser had received no benefits apart from an award during the regime. He added that there is no substantial evidence against his client and suggested that any further questioning be conducted at the jail.
According to the case documents, on 10 December, 2022, BNP leaders and activists gathered in Dhaka as part of a party programme. Prior to this, on 7 December, DB police officers Harun Or Rashid, Mehdi Hasan, and Biplob Kumar raided the BNP office at Nayapaltan, vandalised the premises, and attacked hundreds of party activists gathered nearby.
During the incident, BNP worker Mukbul Hossain was shot and killed. On 30 September, 2024, Mahfuzur Rahman filed a case with Paltan Model Police Station against 256 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in connection with the incident.
