Police seek 10-day remand to question former CEC Nurul Huda

Police have sought a 10-day remand to question former chief election commissioner KM Nurul Huda in a case lodged by the BNP, accusing him of holding national elections without a public mandate.

Investigating officer in the case Sub Inspector Shamsuzzoha of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, filed the remand petition on Monday.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court will hear the remand petition on Monday afternoon, said Sub Inspector Rafiqul Islam of the prosecution division of the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

Police took Huda into custody after he was assaulted by “students and members of the public” outside his home in Uttara around 7:30pm on Sunday, six hours after being named in the lawsuit filed by the BNP.

The said “mob” attacked Huda’s house and assaulted him.

Some of the attackers streamed the incident live on Facebook.

One such video on social media showed a man placing a garland of shoes around his neck while grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, as an individual in a police uniform stood nearby.

“The public surrounded him and informed police. We went to the scene and brought him in,” said Hafizur Rahman, Uttara West police chief.

An Uttara West police officer said Huda was dragged out of his flat and humiliated by a mob before the police arrived.

In another video, one individual was seen hitting him with a shoe taken from the garland around his neck. Police later removed the garland and took him into custody.

In a statement issued later in the night, the Chief Advisor’s Office condemned the assault, calling it unlawful, a violation of the rule of law, and a criminal offence.

“The government is aware of the chaotic situation during the arrest and the physical assault on the accused. Such acts are illegal and unacceptable,” the statement said

Uttara Division Deputy Police Commissioner Mohidul Islam later said Huda was formally arrested under the case and transferred to the Detective Branch office on Minto Road. He is expected to be presented in court.

On Sunday, the BNP lodged the case accusing 19 individuals, including former election commissioners and deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Nurul Huda, a former civil servant, was sworn in as the 12th chief election commissioner in February 2017. He led the Election Commission that conducted the controversial 2018 general election and completed its term in February 2022.