August 21 Grenade Attack
CID prays for remand to quiz Duke
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday again prayed for a seven-day remand to interrogate Saiful Islam Duke, nephew of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, in connection with the August 21 grenade attack case.
CID Special Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abdul Kahar Akand, also the investigation officer (IO) of the case, submitted the prayer with Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka.
Third Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ali Hussain fixed today for hearing on the remand prayer in Duke's presence.
In the remand prayer, the CID officials said the grenade attack was launched aiming to assassinate the then opposition leader and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Former naval officer Duke is accused of helping militant leader Moulana Mohammad Tajuddin, who supplied the grenades.
Duke had fled the country on instructions of the high command of the then prime minister's office. Moreover, Duke had given important information about the attacks on the rally. So, Duke needs to be remanded again to know about the names of the culprits who had supplied the grenades used in the attacks, the IO said.
Earlier on August 26, the CID arrested Duke for his alleged involvement in the August 21 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004.
Later, he was placed on a four-day remand for interrogation in the same case and he was sent to jail on August 31.
Twenty-four leaders and workers were killed and 200 others were injured in the grenade attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21.
Earlier, CID pressed charges against 22 people including Harkatul Jihad (Huji) Chief Moulana Mufti Abdul Hannan and BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu. But the court on August 3 last year ordered for further investigation to unearth the sources of grenades and other persons involved.
Following further investigation, detained former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, Dhaka City Corporation Ward Councillor Ariful Islam Arif, Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) Ameer Moulana Sheikh Abdus Salam and Lasker-e-Taiba leader Abu Yusuf Butt alias Abu Majid Butt were shown arrested in the case. Of them, Majid Butt and Abdus Salam had given confessional statements before magistrates.
Another Huji leader Mufti Abu Zandal alias Moin Uddin is now on remand in the same case and he is being interrogated about the grenade attacks on the rally.
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