Palak seeks regular access to lawyers, says he spent 99 days on remand in 98 cases

Former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Sunday sought permission from a Dhaka court to meet his lawyers regularly, saying he had spent a total of 99 days on remand in 98 cases and needed adequate time to prepare his defence.

Palak made the plea before Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka's Special Judge Court-4 during proceedings in the murder case of truck driver Md Hossain, who was killed in Mohammadpur during the July movement.

Addressing the court, Palak said he had been placed on remand for 99 days in 98 separate cases and that proceedings in those cases were ongoing, including witness testimony in an ICT-related case.

He also told the court that doctors had advised him not to wear a helmet because of a neck injury. He said he is currently allowed to meet family members for only 30 minutes every 15 days and requested permission to meet his lawyers for three hours on at least two days every fortnight for privileged legal consultations.

After hearing the plea, the court directed the prison authorities to take necessary action in accordance with prison rules.

The same court was scheduled to hear arguments on framing charges against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 34 others in the murder case. However, the prosecution sought more time after one of the accused, former councillor Forkan Hossain, was not produced before the court. The defence also requested an adjournment.

The court accepted the petitions and fixed August 13 for the charge hearing.

Defence counsel Farzana Yasmin Rakhi said four of the 34 accused were produced from jail, while eight others, who are on bail, appeared before the court. The remaining accused are absconding.

According to the case statement, truck driver Md Hossain was shot dead in the Chand Udyan area of Mohammadpur on July 19, 2024, during the anti-discrimination student movement while returning home after parking his truck in Gabtoli.

His mother, Reena Begum, filed a murder case with Mohammadpur Police Station on August 31, 2024. Following the investigation, the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Akramuzzaman of Mohammadpur Police Station, submitted a charge sheet on November 23, 2025, against Sheikh Hasina and 34 others.

The charge sheet names former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, former Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, former ministers Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Zunaid Ahmed Palak, among others.

Palak, former MP Sadeq Khan, former councillor Forkan Hossain and Shahjahan Khan are currently in custody in connection with the case.