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Published : 20 Aug 2025, 03:15 PM
Former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak has been placed under arrest in connection with the killing of a truck driver during last year's July Uprising in Dhaka.
The Chief Metropolitan Magistrates’ Court issued the order on Wednesday after Palak, who is currently in jail and faces multiple cases, was produced for a hearing.
Wearing a helmet, handcuffs and a bulletproof vest, the former minister was escorted into court under heavy security. Once the vest was removed, a lumbar support belt was visible around his waist.
During the hearing, Palak exchanged greetings with lawyers before asking the magistrate if he was officially named in the case. Magistrate M Mizbahur Rahman replied that he was considered a “suspect”, prompting Palak to remark: “Oh, a suspect.”
He also asked the court for details of the case, and was told it was related to the fatal shooting of truck driver Hossain in Mohammadpur on Jul 19, 2024.
Police said evidence links Palak to the killing, which took place during a crackdown on protests.
On his way back to prison, Palak addressed reporters, saying he drew inspiration from Azizur Rahman, a rickshaw-puller who was beaten while trying to pay tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 on his death anniversary.
“One Mujib has passed, but there are hundreds of thousands of Mujibs in every home. Azizur Rahman is proof of that,” he said.
