Former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak was brought from prison to court on Monday for a hearing in a case filed by the Anti‑Corruption Commission (ACC).
After the hearing, as he was being taken back to prison from the court lock‑up, Palak raised both hands and told journalists: “Rusty handcuffs are leaving my hands bloodied.”
He was produced before Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Shahjahan Kabir’s court. However, the day had been set for submission of the ACC’s investigation report, and Palak was brought from prison for that purpose.
Since the ACC did not submit the report, the court fixed 23 November as the new date. Later, under police escort, Palak was sent back to prison.
Palak’s lawyer, Tarikul Islam, said his client has been held in prison without trial for a long time. He has been brought to court for a hearing in one of the ACC cases. He has been ill for some time and has been seen by doctors several times, the lawyer added.
Palak was arrested on 15 August 2024, after the fall of the Awami League government, and has been in prison since.
While in custody, on 12 December 2024, the ACC filed the case against him, with Deputy Director Mostafizur Rahman as complainant.
According to the case statement, Palak unlawfully acquired immovable and movable assets worth Tk8.73 crore, inconsistent with his known sources of income, for personal gain.
