Keraniganj fire: Factory owner’s associate placed on 3-day remand
According to the remand plea, preliminary findings by the fire service suggest the blaze may have originated from flammable or raw materials stored inside the factory.
A Dhaka court has put a close associate of a gas lighter factory owner in Keraniganj on a three-day remand in connection with a fatal fire that broke out on Saturday (4 April).
The order was issued today (6 April) by Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Tanvir Ahmed.
The accused, Md Iman Ullah, also known as Mastan, was arrested yesterday in the Kadamtali area of South Keraniganj.
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On the same day, the investigating officer of the case, Sub-Inspector Rafiqul Islam of Keraniganj Police Station, produced him in court seeking a 10-day remand.
Police argued that placing the accused on remand would allow for thorough interrogation, help uncover the main mystery behind the incident, and assist in identifying and arresting other named and unnamed accomplices.
Meanwhile, the defence sought bail and requested the cancellation of the remand plea, while the state opposed it. After hearing both sides, the court granted a three-day remand.
According to case documents, the fire broke out around 12:30pm at Messrs Acer Gas Pro Factory in DBZ Alley of Ambagicha, Kadamtali.
A firefighting unit reached the scene within five minutes and began efforts to control the blaze. Due to its intensity, six additional units were deployed.
Firefighters brought the fire under control around 3pm and fully extinguished it by approximately 4:45pm.
At least six workers, including a child, were killed in the incident, while two others were injured and are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Following the incident, Sub-Inspector Jewel Rana of South Keraniganj Police Station filed a case against three individuals, including Iman Ullah. The other accused are factory owner Md Akram Ullah Akram and his son Ahnaf Akif Akram.
According to the remand plea, preliminary findings by the fire service suggest the blaze may have originated from flammable or raw materials stored inside the factory.
Police further alleged that Iman Ullah played a key role in operating the factory illegally and handling hazardous materials with the help of accomplices, which led to the casualties.
