JSD’s Inu alleges lack of security in overcrowded court lockup

Hasanul Haq Inu, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and former information minister, today (27 July) told a Dhaka court that he felt a lack of security in the overcrowded courtroom lockup after being brought in for a hearing in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Inu made the comment through his lawyer during a hearing at the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court, where the ACC's application to show him arrested in the case was granted.

"He was kept with around 50 other accused in the lockup after being brought in around 9am. This is a security risk," said defence lawyer Mohammad Selim, requesting separate lockups for VIP accused.

Presiding judge Zakir Hossain Galib responded, "It is the police's responsibility to ensure the security of the accused. We also do not want these accused individuals to be brought to court. But the judicial system is not digital yet. We are stuck in the old system."

No progress had been made to digitise case proceedings, despite long-standing demands, he added.

While standing in the dock, Inu said, "I have already seen the subject matter of my case in newspapers. The ACC is conducting a media trial before the actual trial."

The judge interrupted, saying he would be allowed to speak later and that today's hearing was only on the application to show arrest.

Before leaving the courtroom, Inu said, "Thank you for arranging an air-conditioned courtroom."

Inu has been shown arrested in a case alleging that he acquired Tk4.84 crore in assets beyond known sources of income and engaged in suspicious transactions amounting to Tk11.88 crore, reportedly linked to money laundering.