'I’m already in jail, why arrest me again?' Ex-food minister Qamrul asks court

Former food minister Qamrul Islam questioned the court today (11 November) over why he was being shown arrested in another case while already in jail.

Standing in the dock, he said, "What is this case? I was already arrested before. Why am I being arrested again?"

The court did not respond to his question.

Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ashraful Islam granted the police application to show him arrested in a case filed over assault, vandalism, and attempted murder during the July Uprising.

The application was submitted by Sub-Inspector Md Akhter Hossain of Kotwali Police Station on 5 November, and the hearing was held today in the presence of the accused.

Qamrul was brought to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court around 11am under tight security.

During the hearing, the Investigating Officer argued that Qamrul was an instigator in the incident and needed to be shown arrested in the case.

His lawyers submitted the power of attorney and said a bail petition would be filed later.

When Qamrul questioned the court about him being charged, his lawyers told him, "This is a case from last 4 August. It is an old case."

Appearing to misunderstand and think it referred to August this year, Qamrul said, "I was in jail at that time. Okay, fine. If you want to, then do it."

After the proceedings, he was taken back under police escort.

While being moved through the court premises, he was seen scolding police personnel and expressing frustration when officers attempted to hasten his movement.

The case, filed on 6 February by Mohammad Ali Babu, executive member of the Dhaka Bar Association, alleges that on 4 August 2024, during the July Uprising, a group gathered in front of the association building with sticks and weapons, causing unrest.

It accuses several individuals of assaulting lawyers, vandalising chambers of BNP-aligned lawyers, looting goods worth lakhs of taka, and causing significant damage to property.

The case was filed against 144 Awami League-aligned lawyers, including Qamrul, who is also an advocate and former law minister.

According to his lawyer, Qamrul is facing nearly 30 cases, including murder cases linked to last year's July Uprising.

He has been placed on remand multiple times and shown arrested in several cases.

He was arrested on 18 November in Dhaka's Uttara and remains in custody while the cases proceed.