'Are you going to kill me?': 'Casino kingpin' Selim Prodhan lashes out at police during hearing
“There is no power on earth that can claim I have ever been a member of any political party,” he says
The controversial "casino kingpin" Selim Prodhan shouted at the police, "Are you going to kill me? If you were even 50% honest, the country wouldn't be in such a state", during a hearing at Dhaka's Gulshan Police Station today (22 October) on charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Once in the dock, Selim appeared unwell.
Prodhan, identified as a suspected accused and an active leader and financial contributor of the banned-Awami League, was formally shown arrested after Acting Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ziadur Rahman approved the police application.
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The petition was submitted by Inspector Md Mozammel Haque Mamun of the Gulshan Zonal Team.
Defence counsel Shahidul Islam Shihab sought bail, arguing that Prodhan's name did not appear in the FIR and that he was being shown arrested only as a "suspect."
Shihab added, "Several cases — eight or nine — were filed against him under the previous government. During the Awami League government, he was accused of having links with BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman. During the July Uprising, he contributed significantly. Now, he is facing Awami League-related cases."
Public prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman opposed the bail plea, stating, "The accused must first be shown arrested before seeking bail. He has been working as an associate of the previous fascist government and is involved in conspiracies to bring it back to power.
"He is a close associate of Shamim Osman. To hire people for Awami League rallies, Selim Prodhan is paying Tk5,000 per person."
Prodhan responded angrily, "Don't make such false statements. Shame on you — so many lies!"
He added, "There is no power on earth that can claim I have ever been a member of any political party. I am a businessman. I criticised former MP Shamim Osman and fought against criminals in Rupganj. Check the videos — I was on the streets every day. I want the best for Bangladesh."
Earlier, on 5 September, around 2:30am, police detained Prodhan along with nine others from Nexus Café Place in Baridhara, Gulshan, reportedly recovering 6.7 kilogrammes of lead.
He has remained in prison since then.
