4-day remand granted for Subrata Bain's daughter in Arif Sikder killing
During the remand hearing today (24 December), Bithi told the court that even if her father was a criminal, she should not be held responsible for his actions
A Dhaka court has placed Khadiza Yasmin Bithi, daughter of top-listed criminal Subrata Bain, on a further four-day remand in connection with the murder case of Jubo Dal leader Arif Sikder filed with Hatirjheel Police Station.
During the remand hearing today (24 December), Bithi told the court that even if her father was a criminal, she should not be held responsible for his actions.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque issued the order after the hearing. Earlier in the day, police brought the accused to the court following the completion of a five-day remand and sought another five days of remand. The application was filed by the investigation officer of the case and Detective Branch (DB) inspector Md Mazharul Islam.
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Defence lawyers argued that no information had been obtained from the accused during the previous remand. They said there was no justification for seeking remand again and prayed for cancellation of remand and bail, noting that the accused has two children.
State prosecutor Shamsuddoha Suman argued in favour of granting remand, saying that the country's security situation was sensitive ahead of the national election and in view of recent political developments. He claimed that the accused, being the daughter of a notorious criminal like Subrata Bain, might possess important information related to the case, which warranted further interrogation.
Standing in the dock with the court's permission, Khadiza Yasmin Bithi said she had no knowledge about the case. "I have children. My father may be a criminal, but I am not responsible for that. My child is now being taken care of by neighbours. Why should my child stay with others? I work and earn my living. I have not committed any wrongdoing," she told the court, also questioning why she had been arrested and placed on remand when her father is already in legal custody.
After hearing both sides, the court granted a four-day remand instead of the five days sought by police.
Earlier, Bithi was arrested on 15 December from in front of Cumilla District Jail and sent to jail the following day. On 18 December, the court had granted a five-day remand in the same case.
According to the case statement, Jubo Dal leader Md Arif Sikder was shot on the night of April 19 in front of 'The Jheel Cafe' in Nayatola Morol Goli under Hatirjheel Police Station. He later died on April 21 while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Arif Sikder was the former assistant sports secretary of Ward No 36 of Dhaka North Jubo Dal.
Following the incident, Arif's sister Rima Akter filed a case with Hatirjheel Police Station against Subrata Bain's associate Mahfuzur Rahman Bipu and nine others on charges of attempted murder. After Arif succumbed to his injuries, the case was converted into a murder case. Subrata Bain is currently in jail in connection with other cases, police sources said.
