Selim Pradhan shown arrested in 2024 student movement case

Dhaka, July 13: A Dhaka court on Monday showed Selim Pradhan arrested in connection with an attempted murder case and an explosives case filed with Gulshan Police Station.

Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefatullah passed the order after the investigation officer submitted an application seeking to show him arrested in the cases. State prosecutor Shamsuddoha Sumon confirmed the matter.

During the hearing, defence lawyers opposed the application, while the prosecution argued in favour of it. After hearing both sides, the court allowed the application and ordered that Selim Pradhan be sent to jail.

According to the case statement, indiscriminate firing took place on August 5, 2024, in the Notun Bazar Banshtala area under Gulshan Police Station during the anti-discrimination student movement. Md Touhid Mia sustained bullet injuries in the incident. The complainant later filed the case, accusing 88 named individuals along with 100 to 200 unidentified persons.

In the application, the investigation officer alleged that Selim Pradhan was an active leader and one of the key financiers of the previous government. The application further claimed that he directly instigated and financed attacks on students in the Gulshan and Bhatara areas and supported the planned shooting of the complainant during the movement. It said showing him arrested was necessary for a fair investigation.

On September 5 last year, Selim Pradhan and nine others were arrested from Nexus Cafe Place in Baridhara, Gulshan. Police claimed to have recovered 6.7 kilograms of lead from the premises. The following day, they were sent to jail in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act. Since then, Selim Pradhan has been shown arrested in multiple cases.