Nabi Nawaz, a former Member of Parliament of the Jhenaidah-3 constituency, was shown arrested on Monday by a Dhaka court in connection with the murder of garment worker Rubel during the July uprising.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam passed the order following a petition submitted by the case’s investigation officer, Inspector Mohammad Tipu Sultan of the Detective Branch (DB) Tejgaon Division. The information was confirmed by Sub-Inspector Mo. Mizanur Rahman of the Prosecution Department.
Nabi Nawaz was produced in the dock from jail during the hearing. Following the court’s order to show him arrested in the case, he was sent back to prison.
During the hearing, defence counsel Shamsur Rahman Badal argued that the move was “politically motivated”. He stated that the former MP had already secured bail from the High Court Division in a case filed with Ramna Police Station. Badal alleged that as soon as Nawaz was set to be released, he was targeted with this “shown arrested” petition to keep him in custody.
The lawyer further noted that Nawaz’s name was not included in the First Information Report (FIR) and requested the court not to formalise the arrest, citing the defendant’s age and physical illness.
According to the case details, Rubel joined a protest march with hundreds of students and citizens in the Ring Road area of Adabor at approximately 11am on 5 August 2024, the final day of the July movement.
During the protest, activists from the Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League, Shecchashabak League, Sramik League, Tanti League, Krishak League, and Matsyajibi League, along with the police, allegedly opened fire. Rubel sustained gunshot wounds and was declared dead after being taken to a nearby hospital.
The victim’s father, Rafiqul Islam, filed the murder case at Adabor Police Station on 22 August 2024.
Nabi Nawaz has been in custody since 11 April, when he was initially arrested by the DB from the capital.
