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Published : 06 Oct 2025, 03:31 PM
Former Awami League minister Dipu Moni has lashed out in court, accusing authorities of depriving detained opposition leaders of medical treatment as she pointed to the recent death of her former cabinet colleague Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun.
“Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun died due to lack of medical treatment,” she told the judge. “Do we have to die to prove that we are unwell?”
Her remarks came on Monday during a remand hearing at the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, where police sought to interrogate her and former Awami League MP Solaiman Salim in separate murder cases linked to the July Uprising.
Investigators from Shahbagh Police Station requested a 10-day remand for Dipu Moni in the murder case of Mohammad Monir, a small jute trader who was shot dead during protests on Aug 5, 2024.
Meanwhile, officers from Lalbagh Police Station petitioned for Solaiman to be officially arrested in the case over the murder of Shawon Sikder, who was fatally shot near Eden College on Jul 19, 2024.
The duo were brought to court under police escort around 10:30am.
Defence lawyer Gazi Faisal Islam opposed the remand plea and applied for bail, arguing that Dipu Moni, who has been in custody for months, was unwell and named in the case without substantive evidence.
When the judge allowed her to speak, the former Awami League joint general secretary detailed her health struggles and frustration.
“Around the 9th or 10th of [September], I was taken to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital because I was ill. But not all medical tests could be completed there.”
“Later, permission was sought to transfer me to another hospital for further tests. I was supposed to be taken there yesterday, but because no police escort was available, that didn’t happen. I thought I’d be taken today, but instead, I was brought to court.”
She continued, “They say there’s no police squad to take me to the hospital, yet they brought me to court. I am seeking justice. I am not getting the medical care I need.”
Dipu Moni also complained that she was being denied adequate access to legal counsel.
“There are more than 60 cases against me. But I haven’t been able to meet my lawyers properly. In the past year, I’ve only seen them three times," she said.
“On the days I’m taken to court, I ask that I be allowed to meet my lawyer in the court lock-up so I can at least discuss my cases.”
Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi rejected the claims, saying meetings could be arranged at the jail gate under existing prison rules.
“They are only trying to go to hospitals to gain political advantage,” he told the court.
During the heated exchange, Dipu Moni pointed to the death of Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, the former industries minister who died in custody on Sept 29, and blamed the "lack of treatment” for it.
Humayun, a former MP for Narsingdi-4, had been arrested after the ouster of the Awami League government and was under treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital at the time of his death.
Prison authorities said he had been suffering from “uncontrolled bowel and bladder” complications.
Her comments prompted murmurs among attending lawyers, leading to sharp exchanges inside the courtroom.
Former MP Solaiman interjected, saying: “This is a legal argument. Is everyone here representing the prosecution?”
Some lawyers shouted back: “There are still bloodstains on your hands.”
“So does that mean we don’t deserve medical treatment?” Solaiman retorted.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted police permission to interrogate Dipu Moni for four days.
The magistrate also ordered that Solaiman be placed under arrest in the Shawon Sikder murder case.
By 11am, both were taken back to the court lock-up under police escort.
