‘If I were guilty, I wouldn’t have returned from UK’

Lt Gen (retd) Sheikh Mamun Khaled, former director general of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), was placed on a five-day remand today after a Dhaka court heard arguments from both prosecution and defence in a case over the killing of furniture trader Mohammad Delowar Hossain during the 2024 July Uprising.

The hearing unfolded in a packed courtroom where Mamun Khaled remained largely silent yet visibly anxious.

With his right wrist handcuffed, he appeared attentive and composed, raising his hand a few times, smiling twice during the defence’s submissions, and briefly conferring with his lawyer.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Siddique Azad took his seat shortly after the former DGFI chief was brought to a courtroom of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court around 3:10pm under tight security.

The investigation officer then placed submissions seeking a seven-day remand in the case.

Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi argued in favour of the plea, saying Mamun Khaled should be remanded.

“On this accused’s orders, shots were fired at students during the protests in Mirpur,” the prosecutor told the court.

He also referred to Mamun Khaled’s role during the 1/11 army-backed caretaker government, saying, “The accused is one of those who carried out the events of 1/11. He detained and tortured political leaders and businessmen at that time.”

“He was involved in picking up and torturing political leaders and activists at ‘Aynaghor’. He was among those who politicised the DGFI,” the prosecutor added,

“The accused played a key role in evicting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from her cantonment residence,” he said.

Defence lawyer Nazrul Islam Khan then placed his submissions, arguing that his client was not involved in any killing and should be granted bail.

During the defence arguments, Mamun Khaled raised his hand twice, indicating his intention to speak. Upon receiving permission, he presented point-by-point rebuttals to the prosecution’s claims.

He told the court he had supported the July Uprising.

Referring to his tenure as the founding vice-chancellor of Bangladesh University of Professionals, he said, “I served as vice-chancellor of BUP for four years. If students were inspired during the anti-discrimination movement, they were inspired through their vice-chancellor.”

“In July 2024, I held no power; I was an ordinary civilian. I was living in DOHS. My regular route to home is via the Kalshi flyover; I have no reason or necessity to go towards Mirpur-10, where the victim was shot,” he said.

He also spoke about his tenure at the DGFI.

“I joined the Forces Signal Intelligence Bureau of the DGFI in 2007, which primarily deals with communications... in all the cases in which (current) Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was granted bail, I personally called the judges. Clearances were given from our side in each of those instances,” he said.

Addressing allegations surrounding “Aynaghor”, he said he had appeared before the Commission on Enforced Disappearances hearings two to three times and that no such complaints arose during his tenure.

“You may ask then Lt Gen Matiur Rahman and Lt Gen Hakim; during that period, in our unit, later known as ‘Aynaghor’, there was no incident of detaining any people,” he told the court.

He also noted that five of the seven DGFI chiefs during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina are currently abroad.

“I am in the country. If I had been involved in any crime, I would not have returned from the United Kingdom on September 18. My daughter is pursuing a PhD, and I went abroad in July to provide her emotional support before returning. Had I any fear or doubt, I too could have stayed abroad like others,” he said.

After hearing all sides, the magistrate granted a five-day remand.

On July 6 last year, deceased Mohammad Delowar Hossain’s widow Liza filed a case with Mirpur Model Police Station, accusing 74 people.

According to police forwarding report, Mamun Khaled was arrested in the case as a suspect.

Case documents state that Delowar was shot in the Mirpur-10 area on July 19, 2024 during the July uprising. He died while undergoing treatment at City Care General Hospital in the capital’s Shyamoli area on July 21 the same year.