Ex-DGFI director Afzal Naser remanded for 6 days in July Uprising murder case

A Dhaka court has placed former dismissed Lt Col Md Afzal Naser, a former director of the DGFI, on remand for six days in a murder case filed over the killing of Delwar Hossain during the 2024 July Uprising in Mirpur.

The order was issued today (30 March) afternoon by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasib Ullah Piyas following a hearing.

The prosecution was represented by Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi during the remand hearing. The defence, including lawyer Helal Uddin, filed petitions seeking cancellation of the remand and sought bail.

After hearing both sides, the court approved a six-day remand for the accused, who was produced in court during the hearing.

Afzal Naser was arrested from Mirpur DOHS, in regard to the case filed over the killing of Delowar Hossain in the capital's Mirpur area.

Earlier, the investigating officer of the case, Detective Branch Sub-Inspector Kafil Uddin, filed a remand plea seeking seven days to question the former DGFI officer.

According to the remand application, Delwar Hossain, 40, joined a student-led protest at Mirpur-10 around 3:20pm on 19 July 2024. At that time, 500 to 700 activists of Awami League affiliate organisations allegedly opened fire on the protesters on the instructions of Afzal Naser.

Delwar was shot and collapsed at the scene. He was first taken to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. As his condition worsened, he was shifted to City Care General Hospital & Diagnostic Center in Shyamoli on 20 July, where he died on 21 July while undergoing treatment.

The victim's family later filed the case.

Police said preliminary investigation found sufficient evidence of the suspect's involvement. They sought remand to question him further and uncover details of the incident.

Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested Afzal Naser early today from a house on Road 12 in Mirpur DOHS.