Former Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Samrat, an alleged kingpin of the illegal casino business in the capital, was placed on 10-day remand in two cases filed under the arms and narcotics control acts.

The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Tofazzal Hosen granted a five-day remand each in the two cases.

Mahfuzul Huq Bhuiyan, inspector of Ramna Police Station and also investigation Officer of the cases sought a 10-day remand in a case filed for possession drugs, when Samrat was produced before the court around 1:00pm.

Mohammad Jahirul Islam, inspector (investigation) of the same police, also sought 10-day remand for the drug case.

Meanwhile, the chief metropolitan magistrate’s court in Old Dhaka and its surrounding area were plastered all over with posters demanding Samrat’s release.

Activists of Jubo League and Samrat’s supporters also gathered around the court premises and were chanting slogans claiming their leader’s innocence.

Chief metropolitan magistrate’s court in Old Dhaka and its surrounding area are plastered all over with posters demanding Samrat’s release on Tuesdaa, October 15, 2019. Photo: Palash Khan

They were seen demonstrating under the banner of “Ismail Hossain Samrat Mukti Paridshad” till 1:40pm when the report was filed.

On October 06, Rapid Action Battalion members arrested Samrat, former president of Dhaka South Jubo League, and his close aide Enamul Haque Arman, former vice-president of the same unit, at Cumilla.

A Rab mobile court, led by Executive Magistrate Sarwoer Alam, sentenced Samrat to six months’ imprisonment for possessing wild animal hides and another six months for possessing illegal liquor.

Rab filed the two cases against him with Ramna police station under the arms and narcotics control acts the next day.

He came under the spotlight after Rab busted his illegal casino business at different sporting clubs in Dhaka. He was expelled from Jubo League because of his arrest.