Virtual Verdicts: Former Ministers Face Court via Zoom
In multiple cases linked to the anti-discrimination student movement, a Dhaka court on Monday recorded the virtual appearance of former Law Minister Anisul Huq, former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, along with nine other former ministers, four ex-lawmakers, and a total of 24 accused.
To avoid “unwanted situations that may arise from time to time,” the court arranged their appearance through the Zoom platform while the accused remained in prison custody.
Those who appeared before the court include— Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s former adviser Salman F Rahman, former Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, former State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder, former Social Welfare Minister Amir Hossain Amu, former Food Minister Kamrul Islam, former Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, former Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon, former Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaq, former lawmaker Sadeq Khan, former lawmaker Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu, former lawmaker Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, former Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, former Home Secretary Jahangir Alam, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, former IGP Shahidul Haque, former DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, former DC Tanvir Salehin Imon, former DC Moshiur Rahman, former Additional Superintendent of Police Jewel Rana, former AC Tanzil Ahmed, former SI Shahadat Ali, and former OC Abul Hasan.
On September 1, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam’s court recorded their virtual appearance from prison, State Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman confirmed.
Earlier, on August 12, former Information Minister and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu, former Civil Aviation Minister and Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, former Minister Shajahan Khan, Sheikh Hasina’s former Adviser on Private Investment and Industry Salman F Rahman, former State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder, former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and former lawmaker Sadeq Khan were among nine accused who appeared virtually before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka.
Court sources revealed that the appearances were scheduled in connection with multiple cases filed at Jatrabari, Mohammadpur, Adabor, New Market, Badda, Uttara West, and Kafrul police stations in the capital. However, bringing the accused to the court premises has often been deemed a security risk.
In addition, the accused face “intense public outrage,” prompting citizens to gather at court premises in attempts to express their resentment. Such situations have frequently left law enforcement agencies struggling to maintain order.
