A Dhaka court on Wednesday ordered former lawmaker for Cumilla-8, Nasimul Alam Chowdhury, 58, to be shown arrested in a case involving the attempted murder of SM Abdur Rob during the July uprising.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam passed the order following a petition submitted by the investigating officer of the case, Badda Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Md Rashedul Islam.
SI Kamal Uddin of the Prosecution Division confirmed this development, noting that no defence lawyer was present in court on behalf of Nasimul Alam during the hearing.
According to the investigation report, the incident took place on the paved road in Dhaka’s Merul Badda area at around 2:30pm on 30 July 2024, whilst students and members of the public were holding a peaceful programme as part of the quota reform movement.
Named and unidentified armed assailants launched an attack on the demonstrators using pistols, crude explosives, and local weapons.
During the attack, the plaintiff, SM Abdur Rob, 54, was shot in his right leg with a pistol with intent to murder, before being severely beaten with machetes and iron rods, sustaining bloody injuries.
Around 40 students and citizens were injured in the violence, and Rob subsequently underwent long-term medical treatment.
The investigating officer stated in the report that nationwide attacks were carried out under high-level directives from the Awami League and its associate organisations to suppress the student-people’s movement.
Preliminary evidence of direct and indirect collusion and involvement of Nasimul Alam Chowdhury was found in connection with the Badda violence.
In the interest of a fair investigation and to facilitate questioning, the investigating officer prayed to show the accused arrested in the case and detain him in jail custody. Following the hearing, the court granted the prayer and ordered him to be shown arrested in the Badda Police Station case.
