Atiq knew nothing of plaintiff or incident, says lawyer as police seek to charge ex-mayor over July killing of businessman
Earlier in the day, police brought Atiqul from jail to court to seek permission to formally charge him in the case regarding the murder of Tajul Islam, who was killed in the Uttara West area during the July movement
Former Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Atiqul Islam knows nothing about the plaintiff or the incident in which businessman Tajul Islam was killed during the July movement, his lawyer has claimed.
Speaking to reporters before a court hearing today (27 October), defence lawyer Morshed Hossain Shahin said his client had been formally charged in one case after another for political reasons.
"He has been taken on remand without cause and is being subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment in custody," he said, adding that Atiqul knows nothing about the plaintiff or the incident.
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Shahin said his client believes the judicial process is being conducted without transparency.
"If justice prevails, he will be acquitted in all the cases. He was a businessman, which is why former prime minister Sheikh Hasina gave him the party nomination. These cases are part of political harassment," the lawyer added.
Earlier in the day, police brought Atiqul from jail to court to seek permission to formally charge him in the case regarding the murder of Tajul Islam, who was killed in the Uttara West area during the July movement.
He was brought from jail around 9am and kept in the CMM lockup before being taken to the courtroom at about 10:30am.
Before the hearing, the defendant's lawyer spoke to journalists regarding the matter.
The hearing began around 11am, when Inspector Nazrul Islam of Uttara West Police Station, the investigating officer, submitted an application to show him arrested in the case.
The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Alam granted the application and ordered Atiqul to remain in jail.
According to the case statement, businessman Tajul Islam was shot dead around 4:45pm on 18 July last year during a protest near Uttara Crescent Hospital.
His son, Redwan Hossain, filed the case at Uttara West Police Station on 12 July this year.
Atiqul Islam was arrested from the DOHS area of Mohakhali on 27 October 2024 and has remained in jail since.
