A rickshawpuller was beaten by mob during tribute at Dhanmondi 32. Now he faces attempted murder charges

Court denies him bail after police show his arrest in a case linked to July Uprising

A rickshawpuller who was beaten by a mob on Friday while paying tribute at Dhanmondi 32 on the nation’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s death anniversary has been sent to jail in connection with an attempted murder case from the July Uprising.

Metropolitan Magistrate Israt Jennifer Jerin on Saturday ordered the rickshawpuller Azizur Rahman into jail custody after police produced him in court.

Dhanmondi police Sub-inspector Md Touhidur Rahman, the investigation officer, sought Azizur’s detention citing his alleged involvement in the case filed by Md Ariful Islam, who was shot during a protest march in Science Lab on Aug 4 last year.

Police said the case, lodged on Apr 2 this year at the Dhanmondi station, accused demonstrators of firing bullets and hurling petrol bombs and crude bombs that left Ariful wounded. He recovered after two months of treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Azizur’s lawyer Farzana Yasmin Rakhi pleaded for bail but the court rejected it.

Speaking before being handed over to police after Friday’s assault, Azizur said he had no political affiliation and had gone only to show love for Bangabandhu.

“I did not come to bring back the Awami League or Sheikh Hasina. I came because I love Bangabandhu, with flowers bought with my halal earnings,” he said.