A smiling Shajahan and a worried Salim

As former shipping minister Shajahan Khan was escorted into the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court of Dhaka yesterday, he maintained a smile.

Shajahan, a presidium member of the Awami League, entered the dock under tight police security, accompanied by other party leaders, including former law minister Anisul Huq, former DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam, former state minister for Liberation War affairs AB Tajul Islam, former lawmaker Mohammad Solaiman Salim, and former Supreme Court judge AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik.

Minutes later, journalist couple Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa were brought into the same dock, followed by former state minister for industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Monirul Islam formally showed the AL leaders and journalists arrested in connection with various cases filed with different police stations regarding the July uprising.

SHAHJAHAN AND HIS REMARKS

As the accused were led back to the lockup, a journalist asked Shajahan how he was faring.

"Doing alright with your prayers. Pray for me," he replied.

When asked what prayers they should offer, he said, "Pray that I am released soon so I can work towards restoring peace and order and participate in the upcoming election."

A journalist remarked, "Everyone is saying you have ruined the country."

Shajahan countered, "It will soon be proven whether we ruined the country or someone else did."

When another journalist inquired about his frequent smiles, Shajahan responded, "I always smile. I will keep smiling until my last breath."

'A RUSHED JUDGEMENT IS NO JUDGEMENT'

While in the dock, Solaiman Salim was approached by a lawyer who inquired about his prison experience.

"I am fasting, reading books, and can talk to my family over the phone. Sehri and Iftar meals are normal," he replied. He paused and added, "Don't you see how drained everyone's faces look?"

When the judge entered, Solaiman continued addressing journalists.

"Many journalists publish false news. They wrote that Shajahan Khan and others are getting good food in prison. These lies are making our situation worse," he stated.

Police instructed him to stop speaking, to which he retorted, "You are going to slaughter me anyway. Give me a little time."

He then told the lawyer, "A death sentence could come at any moment. I wouldn't be surprised. Look at how Bangabandhu's house was demolished. The message is clear."

After the hearing, while being taken to the lockup, he asked a lawyer about his father's health.

When a journalist asked about his comment on a possible death sentence, he replied, "A rushed judgement is no judgement."

'ONE MURDER CASE IS ENOUGH'

Inside the dock, former head of news at Ekattor Television Shakil Ahmed and principal correspondent Farzana Rupa exchanged words.

During the hearing, Rupa sought permission to speak.

"I do not have a lawyer. May I speak in favour of my bail?" she asked.

The judge replied, "This is a hearing to show you as arrested, not a bail hearing."

She continued, "The number of cases is piling up. I am a journalist. A single murder case is enough to frame me."

Meanwhile, former Supreme Court justice Manik was placed on a two-day remand in connection with the death of 24-year-old Abujor Sheikh in Dhaka's Gulshan area on July 19 last year.