A Dhaka court has granted a four-day remand for former State Minister for ICT, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, in connection with the case of Obaidul Islam’s shooting death during the anti-discrimination student movement in Jatrabari. The order was issued on Monday (March 24) by Metropolitan Magistrate G.M. Farhan Ishtiaq after hearing arguments from both sides.

Earlier in the day, Palak was presented before the court, where the investigating officer requested a seven-day remand. The prosecution, led by Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqui, supported the remand request, while defense lawyers Farzana Yasmin Rakhi and Tariqul Islam sought bail and cancellation of the remand.

According to the case details, on August 4 at around 5 PM, leaders and activists of the Awami League and the 14-party alliance allegedly opened fire with illegal weapons on thousands of protesters near the Kajla Petrol Pump in Jatrabari during the anti-discrimination student movement. Obaidul Islam was shot and later succumbed to his injuries.

Following the incident, the victim’s relative, Md. Ali, filed a case naming former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Quader, and 58 others as accused.

Additionally, Palak has been shown as arrested in two other murder cases filed at Jatrabari police station. Former minister Kamrul Islam, Kamal Ahmed Mojumder, and ex-mayor Atiqul Islam were also presented before the court and shown arrested in separate murder cases from different police stations.