A Dhaka court has placed Md Iman Ullah alias Mastan on three-day remand in connection with a case filed over the fire at a gas lighter factory in the capital’s Keraniganj.
Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Tanvir Ahmed passed the order on Monday.
Police arrested Iman Ullah from Kadamtali on Sunday. Rafiqul Islam, sub-inspector of Keraniganj Police Station, filed petition for a ten-day remand when producing the suspect before the court.
The defence lawyers requested bail for the suspect, which the prosecution opposed. After hearing both sides, the court granted a three-day remand.
Police alleged Iman Ullah operated the factory illegally, storing hazardous materials in a highly populated area.
The case states that the factory, Acer Gas Pro, located on Ambagicha DB Road in Kadamtali under South Keraniganj Police Station, had been operating illegally for an estimated eight to ten years.
Police say the factory employed 50 to 60 people, including children, women, and men, in violation of labour and safety laws. Despite repeated raids by law enforcement, army units, and magistrates, the factory allegedly resumed operations with assistance from unidentified suspects.
Alongside Iman Ullah, police have filed charges against two others: factory owner Akram Ullah Akram and his son Ahnaf Akif Akram. Investigators continue to probe the incident and identify other involved parties.
The fire broke out at a gas lighter factory near Golchattar area in Kadamtali on 4 April. Fire Service officials said preliminary investigations suggest the blaze started from flammable materials stored inside the factory. Six people have died, and several others were severely injured and are receiving treatment at National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka.
