Ex-joint secy Pasha on 7-day remand over Khaleda Zia attack case

Former Joint Secretary Syed Jaglul Pasha has been placed on a seven-day police remand in a case over the alleged attempted murder of former prime minister Khaleda Zia by obstructing her from attending a political rally in December 2013.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Didarul Alam passed the order on Thursday after police sought a 10-day remand. The court heard arguments from both the prosecution and the defence before granting the seven-day remand.

Jaglul Pasha was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) from his residence in Dhaka's Bhatara area early on August 4.

According to the remand petition, his interrogation is necessary to uncover the full circumstances of the case and help arrest other absconding suspects.

The case alleges that on December 28-29, 2013, Jaglul Pasha and other accused blocked roads outside Khaleda Zia's Gulshan residence with sand-laden trucks and other vehicles to prevent her from attending a scheduled rally. The complaint also alleges that pepper spray was used in an attempt to attack Khaleda Zia and her associates, causing injuries.

The case was filed with Gulshan Police Station in October 2024 by Shariful Islam Shawon, a former leader of the Rajshahi University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.