A Day in court: Of ‘preventing measure’ against anti-govt slogans

Former state minister for posts, telecommunications and information technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was brought to a courtroom of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) Court of Dhaka from its lockup yesterday.

Wearing a police helmet and bulletproof vest, Palak, was escorted from the lockup at 9:39am, flanked by police officers. His hands were cuffed behind his back.

Just two days back, on the premises of the Metropolitan Sessions Court of Dhaka, he had complained about how he was handcuffed from behind while being brought to the courtroom.

Salman F Rahman, former private industry affairs adviser to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, also walked towards the courtroom just before Palak yesterday. His hands were also cuffed behind his back.

Former lawmaker Mohammad Solaiman Salim and former Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) mayor Atiqul Islam followed, both had their hands cuffed behind their backs.

Further back, former senior secretary Mohibul Haque also walked with his hands cuffed behind his back.

Their handcuffs were unlocked after they were placed inside the courtroom dock.

Minutes later, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Jonaid took his seat and held hearings in four cases linked to the July uprising.

After the court's hearings, Palak, Salman, Solaiman, Atiqul and Mohibul were handcuffed again in the same manner before being taken back to lockup.

Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi on February 26 told several media outlets that he was unaware of any accused being brought to court with hands cuffed behind their backs. "No accused should be presented in court in such a manner," he said.

However, Faruqi yesterday said, "Several accused want to raise their hands and shout anti-government statements while being taken from the lockup to the courtroom. To prevent them from doing so, they are being cuffed with their hands behind their backs before being presented in courtroom."