Former minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury remanded for 5 days in BNP worker murder case

Crowds protest at court, chanting slogans and throwing eggs at him

Police will question in custody former minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury for five days in connection with the murder of a BNP worker, which occurred two years ago.

Saber was presented in the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrates Court on Monday, where Paltan Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Nazmul Hasan, the investigating officer, sought a 10-day remand for interrogation.

Saber’s lawyer Ehsanul Haque Samaji opposed the remand plea and sought bail, but Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mahbubul Haque rejected the bail request and granted a 5-day remand.

According to the case details, ahead of the BNP rally on Dec 10, 2022, party leaders and activists began gathering in Dhaka. On Dec 7, from 3pm to 11pm, clashes erupted in Naya Paltan near the BNP central office, with reports of baton charges, cocktail explosions, tear gas shells, stun grenades, and gunfire.

Several BNP activists were injured in the violence. BNP worker Mokbul, identified by a single name, was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with gunshot wounds, where the on-duty doctor pronounced him dead.

On Sept 30, Mahfuzur Rahman filed a case accusing 156 individuals, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Saber, for their alleged involvement in the violence and Mokbul's murder.

Saber, a former president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, was arrested on Sunday in Dhaka's Gulshan and brought to court under heavy security.

As he entered the court premises, a group of protesters gathered, chanting slogans and throwing eggs at him.

The court premises saw large crowds of onlookers, with people gathering on balconies of the 10-storey white building to witness the proceedings.

Saber was made environment, forest and climate change minister by deposed prime minister Hasina earlier this year.

In June 2023, he was appointed as Hasina's special envoy on environment and climate affairs.

He also chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the environment, forest and climate change in the 11th parliament.

He held important ministerial positions early in his political career.

After winning the Dhaka-6 seat in 1996, which then included Khilgaon and Sabujbagh, he was first made state minister for shipping.

He later took on a larger role as state minister for local government, rural development, and cooperatives, showing his growing influence in the government. These roles marked him as a key figure in national politics.

However, despite the Awami League’s return to power in 2009, he did not receive any ministerial portfolio for three consecutive terms.