In the wake of the student and public uprising, the former Minister of State for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology of the Awami League, Junaid Ahmed Palak, has requested a high commode for his client through his lawyer, Farzana Yasmin Rakhi. The request was made in connection with the remand application against Palak, filed in relation to the killing of student leader Manik Mia, who was shot in the head during the anti-discrimination student movement at Chankharpul in the capital on Monday morning, December 9.
On this day, the investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Sheikh Hadiuzzaman of Shahbagh Police Station, applied for a seven-day remand for Palak. The State’s representative, Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi, presented arguments in support of the remand application.
In the hearing, it was mentioned that Palak had been arrested in 46 cases and had previously been on remand for 31 days. On November 9, he was remanded in a case by Jatrabari Police Station, where he fell ill and was urgently admitted to Dhaka Medical College (Dhamek) Hospital. It was later found that he was suffering from back pain. Due to his physical condition, he was unable to travel and required a high commode for use. Despite repeated remands, no information had been extracted from him. The defense requested that his remand be canceled based on his health condition, and that he be questioned at the jail gate if necessary.
In response, Omar Faruk Faruqi stated, “Initially, we have a list showing that 1581 people were killed during the anti-discrimination movement. He should have 1581 cases against him. And when brought to court, illness is never an issue. If he’s kept outside, he has no hesitation in committing more killings. More murder cases may be filed against him.”
After the hearing, the court granted a three-day remand for Palak.
