Court issues warrant to search Khaleda’s office

A Dhaka court today issued a warrant allowing police to search BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office. 

Police wanted to search the office in relation to an explosive case.

Metropolitan Magistrate SM Masud Zaman passed the search warrant in response to a petition by Sub Inspector Sohel Rana of Gulshan Police Station.

Khaleda and 13 other BNP men were sued for a crude bomb attack on a procession led by Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan on February 16.

At least eight people were injured in the attack on the procession at Gulshan 2 in the capital.

Ismail Hossain Bachchu, general secretary of Dhaka District Transport Workers' Union, on February 17 filed the case with Gulshan Police Station, accusing Khaleda and others of instigating the attack.

In the case statement, Ismail said the accused along with leaders of 20-party alliance instigated some unknown criminals to carry out the attack.

The criminals threw several cocktails at the procession to kill people after it reached Gulshan-2 intersection, the statement added.

The other accused include BNP Vice-chairmen Selima Rahman and Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Mohila Dal General Secretary Shirin Sultana, the party chief's Special Assistant Shimul Biswas, Khaleda's Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, BNP Joint Secretary General Salauddin Ahmed, and BNP chairperson's adviser and Bar Council Vice-chairman Khandaker Mahbub Hossain.

The processionists were marching towards Khaleda's office to lay siege to it on February 16, protesting the ongoing blockade and hartals enforced by the BNP-led combine. Khaleda has been staying at the office since January 3.

About 50 persons including some BNP leaders, office staff and security personnel are staying inside the office with Khaleda Zia.