Asaduzzman Noor, Mabub Ali sent to prison

A Dhaka court on Monday sent to jail former culture minister Asaduzzaman Noor and ex-state minister for civil aviation Mahbub Ali to keep them in check until a murder investigation is completed.

The Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested the two senior Awami League leaders in the capital on Sunday in a case filed over the killing of Siam Sardar, 17, allegedly by Awami League government-backed forces during the job quota reform movement.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mosharraf Hossain sent the two to prison in response to a plea made by the investigating police officer in this regard. The defendants’ lawyer had asked for bail.

As per the case statement, Siam used to work at a hotel in the capital’s Mirpur area. On 18 July, while on his way home, he ran into a student-led demonstration and suddenly sustained bullet injuries likely from law enforcers or Awami League goons.

The doctors declared him dead on arrival at a hospital.

On 4 September, Siam’s father filed a murder case in this regard naming as accused 114 individuals including former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal as well as Asaduzzaman Noor and Mahbub Ali.