BUS ARSON CASE : Khaleda, 27 others face arrest warrant

A sessions court in Dhaka on Wednesday issued warrants for the arrest of Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia and 27 other BNP leaders in connection with an arson attack on a bus at Jatrabari in the city.
Metropolitan sessions judge Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah also asked the Jatrabari police station- officer-in-charge to report to the court on April 27 about the execution of the warrants.
On the same day, newly appointed BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was sent to jail in about two hours of his appointment and was released from jail in about next five hours.
Leaders and activists of BNP and its front and associate organisations led by new
senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi staged protests in Nayapaltan area in the afternoon protesting against the warrant for the arrest of Khaleda, also former prime minister.
BNP-backed student organisation Jatyiatabadi Chhatra Dal announced two-day countrywide demonstrations in protest against the warrant.
Chhatra Dal would hold processions and rallies at all districts, metropolitan cities and universities on Saturday and at all upazilas, municipalities and colleges on Sunday, said a release.
The 27 BNP leaders facing the warrants include Khaleda’s adviser Khandker Mahbub Hossain, her special assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, her press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, BNP joint secretary-general Barkatullah Bulu, Dhaka city BNP member secretary Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel,  BNP press wing member Mir Abu Zafar Shamsuddin Didar, Swechchhasebak Dal general secretary Mir Sharafat Ali Sapu, BNP central committee member Azizul Bari Helal, former BNP lawmaker Salauddin Ahmed and his son Tanvir Ahmed Robin, former Dhaka city ward commissioners Abdul Quyyum and Abdul Latif.
The court issued the warrants after taking cognisance of the charges pressed against Khaleda and 37 other BNP leaders in the case filed under the Special Powers Act for the arson attack that killed a passenger and burned 27 others during countrywide blockade on January 23, 2015.
On May 19, 2015, police submitted the charge sheet to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court against the 38 accused BNP leaders.
In the charge sheet, the police showed Khaleda and 27 others fugitive and sought warrants for their arrest.
Of the 38 accused, eight including BNP standing committee member MK Anwar, Khaleda’s information adviser Shawkat Mahmud, BNP joint secretary generals Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed and Amanullah Aman are now on bail and the rest two are in jail.
Earlier on May 6, 2015, murder charges were pressed against Khaleda and the 37 BNP leaders in another case filed for the same incident of arson attack on a Glory Paribahan bus in Katherpol area of Jatrabari.
The murder case was yet to be sent for trial, said a court official.
Khaleda is facing at least 20 cases, including five corruption cases filed during the military-controlled interim regime in 2007-2008.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net