How big shots of Hasina regime now facing police grilling  

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former state minister for posts, telecommunications and ICT, has been unable to provide any useful information during police interrogation, instead broke down in tears and refused to take responsibility for his ministry's actions over the past six years. 

Palak claimed that although he led the ministry, all decisions were made in coordination with the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, according to sources. 

Palak, ex-deputy speaker Shamsul Haque, and Chhatra League's Dhaka University unit general secretary Tanveer Hasan have been placed on remand for 10 days each in a case over the fatal shooting of rickshaw puller Kamal Mia on 19 July.  

The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police  is now overseeing the investigation, which is also connected to broader accusations of financial misconduct.

The case also involves other high-profile figures, including former law minister Anisul Huq, Sheikh Hasina's adviser Salman F Rahman, and retired Major General Ziaul Ahsan, former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC). 

All have been placed in general custody and are being questioned, though police officials indicate that more attention is currently being paid to their health rather than rigorous interrogation.

An official involved in the investigation said, "We are not yet interrogating in-depth." However, the DB has indicated that if evidence of financial irregularities or money laundering emerges, these individuals will face more detailed questioning."

Palak's troubles began on 6 August, the day after Sheikh Hasina fled to neighbouring India in the face of a mass movement. He was detained by airport authorities while attempting to leave the country and later arrested on 14 July in Dhaka's Khilkhet area. 

Sources said Palak broke down after his arrest, unable to provide coherent answers during questioning, and repeatedly insisted that all decisions were made under the guidance of an advisor within his ministry.

The investigation is also examining the looting of hundreds of thousands of taka from the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology during the country's digitization process. Palak, however, refused to accept responsibility.

Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq were arrested on 13 August in connection with the killing of hawker Shahjahan Ali in a case filed at DMP Newmarket police station. Ziaul Ahsan was arrested on 16 August in the same case  and placed on an 8-day remand. 

Like Palak, these former influential leaders of the Awami League regime have denied responsibility for the political violence that has erupted across the country.

Sources involved in the investigations reveal that Anisul Huq remained silent during his interrogation. Salman F Rahman, meanwhile, defended his financial activities, claiming that as a businessman, his international transactions were legitimate and necessary for business operations, denying any illegal money laundering.

In contrast, Major General (sacked) Ziaul Ahsan has been more forthcoming during his interrogation. He is currently being questioned about enforced disappearances and killings of political figures during his tenure with the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). 

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mainul Hasan said, "The interrogation of the arrestees is ongoing, but no further details can be disclosed at this time."