Cox's Bazar court shooting: 13 sued under arms, speedy trial acts

Two separate cases have been filed under the Speedy Trial Act and the Arms Act following a gunfight on the Cox's Bazar court premises where a local BNP leader and his associate sustained bullet injuries. 

The cases were lodged at the Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Thana this morning (25 May), Inspector (Investigation) Himel Rai confirmed.

One of the cases was filed by the victim, former UP member and Union BNP General Secretary Liaqat Ali Sikder.

In this case, Ziaul Haq Jiku – who is already in police custody – has been named as the prime accused along with six individuals. 

Another 5-6 unidentified persons have been named in the case recorded under the Speedy Trial Act.

The other case has been filed by the police under the Arms Act. 

Sub-Inspector (SI) Ruhul Amin of the Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Thana filed the case, which also names the detained Ziaul Haq Jiku as the prime accused. 

The First Information Report (FIR) of this case names seven individuals and lists several others as unidentified.

SI Ruhul stated that one individual has been shown arrested in connection with the cases and sent to court. 

A remand petition was submitted, but the court sent the accused to jail without holding the remand hearing immediately. 

The court indicated that the remand hearing would be scheduled for a later date. 

Multiple police teams are currently conducting raids to apprehend the remaining accused in the case, police said.

According to the obtained FIR details, besides the prime accused Ziaul, the other five accused Mahamudul Haq; Abdul Khalek and Sahabuddin, Shamshuuddin, and Jashim Uddin.

In the case FIR, the plaintiff stated that the accused carried out the shooting as part of a plot to murder him because he had protested against their various misdeeds and crimes.

In the arms case filed by SI Ruhul, the accused besides the prime suspect are: Mohammad Jahed (brother of Liaqat Ali); Mehedi (nephew of Liaqat Ali); Shamshul Alam Bappi (brother of Liaqat Ali); Rahim; Gias Uddin; and Delwar Hossain.

The case FIR notes that eyewitnesses at the scene and video footage confirm these individuals were holding weapons.

On Sunday morning, the case notes, Liaqat Ali arrived at the Cox's Bazar District and Sessions Judge Court premises with his associates to attend a case hearing when a group of miscreants opened fire on him. He and his cousin Mohammad Moin Uddin were injured in the incident. 

While Liaqat received first aid, Moin Uddin was sent to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Videos circulating on social media at the time of the incident reportedly show weapons were in the hands of both the attackers and those accompanying the injured victim. 

A weapon was also seen in the hands of Liaqat Ali's brother.

Additional Superintendent of Police (District) Wahidur Rahman had stated that the shooting stemmed from a dispute over an ongoing case between Liaqat and the "Khaleq gang". 

The case further mentions that apart from these two groups, links to a third party have emerged in the incident. This points towards disputes related to drugs and smuggling in the border areas of Garjania in Ramu and Naikhongchhari.

When asked if the incident was related to cattle rustling or drug smuggling, ASP Wahidur said, "It could be something of that nature."

He added that the police are actively working to investigate the incident.