Barrister Suman placed on 5-day remand in attempted murder case

The former Habiganj MP was in tears while being taken to the courtroom for the hearing

Police have been granted five days to interrogate Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman, a former MP for Habiganj-4, in connection with an attempted murder case.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hussain issued the order on Tuesday after rejecting Suman's bail plea.

A teary-eyed Suman was presented in court on Tuesday morning following his arrest from Dhaka's Mirpur, with the police applying for a 10-day to question him in custody.

During the remand hearing, Public Prosecutor Omar Faruque Faruqui said, "He is a barrister. After Aug 5, he claimed to be in London, misleading the public about his whereabouts. He has always been cunning -- deception is his expertise. Eventually, he was arrested at his sister’s residence."

"He claims to be a 'selfie MP', a term he used even while addressing the parliament. By bringing funds from abroad and constructing a few bridges in his area, he has misled his constituents."

Suman, who was thought to have left the country around Aug 5 along with other MPs and ministers, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday from Dhaka's Mirpur area, nearly two and a half months after the fall of the Awami League government.

Prior to his arrest, Suman said in a post on Facebook: "I am going with the police. I will see you in court. Please keep me in your prayers."

According to the remand application, a preliminary investigation indicated Suman's involvement in the case.

As the third accused, Suman reportedly used his legal expertise to tactfully evade questions during interrogation, the police said.

Despite being elected to parliament as an independent, he is considered a rising star within the Awami League's ranks, with party members and affiliates often following his directives.

The plaintiff in the case, Hridoy Mia, an assistant cook at a restaurant, was shot during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement protests on Jul 19 at the Mirpur-10 roundabout.

He filed the attempted murder case at the Mirpur Model Police Station on Sept 23 after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina administration.

According to the complaint, activists of the Awami League and its affiliates started attacking peaceful protesters with iron rods, machetes and firearms.

The complaint further states that the accused shot at Hridoy with the intent to kill. The bullet hit and shattered the patella above his right knee.

He was subsequently rushed to the National Orthopedic Hospital where he received 13 stitches with the bullet still lodged in his knee, before being sent home.

After his condition deteriorated at home, neighbours helped take him back to the hospital on Aug 3, where the bullet was finally removed.