Ex-deputy speaker Tuku, former state minister Palak arrested

BCL’s Dhaka University unit General Secretary Saikat has also been detained

Former deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak have been placed under arrest in connection with a slew of cases implicating the ministers and MPs of the deposed Awami League government.

Police say they were arrested from the Nikunja residential area in Dhaka's Khilkhet Police Station area on Wednesday.

Tipped-off, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, or DMP, acted to apprehend the duo who were reportedly evading capture.

Additionally, Dhaka University Chhatra League General Secretary Tanveer Hasan Saikat has been apprehended from the same residential neighbourhood.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Obaidur Rahman told bdnews24.com that these individuals were detained in relation to a case filed at Paltan Police Station.

Earlier, on Tuesday night, former law minister Anisul Huq and former prime minister's adviser on private industry and investment Salman F Rahman were detained in Sadarghat.

Following Sheikh Hasina's fall in the wake of intense student protests, numerous cases have been filed against her and other party leaders and activists for the violence and casualties associated with the movement.

Arrests are under way in these cases.

After Aug 5, as the Awami League's MPs, ministers, and officials scampered for safety, many fled the country, though most stayed back.

The army chief said on Tuesday that they are safeguarding several individuals whose lives are at risk, noting that those implicated in criminal cases will be held accountable.

On Aug 6, it was reported that Palak was detained at Shahjalal International Airport during an attempted departure. Airport officials indicated he was handed over to a security force, though the details of the agency were not disclosed.

Eight days later, on Wednesday night, police confirmed Palak's arrest in connection with a case registered at Paltan Police Station.

Palak is under investigation for ordering phased internet shutdowns during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Preliminary inquiries by the ICT ministry suggest that these shutdowns were implemented on his directive, denying millions of Bangladeshis internet access.

Despite the ongoing investigation into the internet disruptions, no specific legal charges against Palak have been reported.

On Aug 5, the whereabouts of Tuku, who was state minister for home in 2009-2014 Awami League government, was less prominently discussed, but on Wednesday, police confirmed his arrest alongside Palak’s.

Meanwhile, Dhaka University Chhatra League General Secretary Saikat was detained at the airport on Aug 6, along with Dhaka Metropolitan North Chhatra League General Secretary Riaz Mahmud.

Both were reportedly detained by immigration officials while attempting to leave the country. Dhaka Metropolitan Police provided details of Saikat's arrest on Wednesday.