বাংলা | Epaper

বাংলা E-Paper 📍 Dhaka 📅 Sunday | 4 October 2026, 19 Ashswin 1433 PID registration number 06

HEADLINE

● Speaker leaves Dhaka for IPU conference ● LPG price rises in market ● BNP and Jamaat-backed lawyers clash at Dhaka CMM court ● Baridhara crash: Court denies bail to teenager ● Govt to push wage board implementation for journos: State Minister ● Fire breaks out at Gazipur jhut godown ● EU seeks deeper trade partnership with Bangladesh

Chaos, Scuffle Erupt During Akhtaruzzaman’s Bail Hearing; Judge Leaves Courtroom

Published : Sunday, 4 October, 2026 at 6:31 PM

Court Correspondent

A chaotic scene unfolded at a Dhaka court on Sunday as lawyers aligned with the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami reportedly engaged in heated arguments and a scuffle during the bail hearing of former army major Akhtaruzzaman.

The incident took place at the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jamsed Alam. The judge briefly left the courtroom amid the commotion.

Akhtaruzzaman was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of police from his residence in the Cantonment area of Dhaka on Friday evening in a case filed over disorder at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport allegedly stemming from a shortage of luggage trolleys, obstruction of government duties and assault of an on-duty security officer.

A Dhaka court placed him on a one-day remand on Saturday.

On Sunday, police produced Akhtaruzzaman before the court after the remand period and sought his detention in jail. Investigation officer SI Majedul Islam of Airport Police Station made the plea.

Akhtaruzzaman was brought into the courtroom at around 2:38PM wearing a helmet and handcuffs. The courtroom was already crowded with lawyers from both sides.

About two minutes later, Magistrate Jamsed Alam entered the courtroom. A dispute broke out between lawyers over standing arrangements, which soon escalated into a scuffle.

At around 2:41PM, the magistrate left the courtroom and went to his chamber.

The situation later calmed down following intervention by Omar Faruk Faruqi, chief prosecutor for the state and Abdur Razzaq, lead counsel for the accused. The magistrate returned to the courtroom a few minutes later.

Akhtaruzzaman then raised his hand to draw the judge's attention and requested permission for 10 lawyers to make submissions on his behalf.

Abdus Razzaq began the bail hearing, arguing that CCTV footage was available regarding the incident but did not show any assault. He claimed that the case was politically motivated and said Akhtaruzzaman, aged 73, was suffering from various illnesses.

“We are seeking bail for him,” Razzaq told the court.

When Akhtaruzzaman attempted to speak while standing in the dock, the magistrate asked everyone to speak one at a time so that the court could hear them properly.

State prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi opposed the bail petition and outlined the allegations against the accused.

He argued that there were lawful ways to protest and that conduct crossing the line could constitute a criminal offence. He also made several political remarks concerning Jamaat-e-Islami, prompting objections from lawyers representing the party.

The courtroom again became tense during the exchange.

Razzaq subsequently objected to the prosecutor's remarks, saying such comments were not expected from someone holding a responsible position. He also made a disparaging remark about the accused, further heightening tensions inside the courtroom.

Faruqi later alleged that Akhtaruzzaman had participated in an election on the side of the then ruling party and had spoken against the July uprising. He further alleged that Akhtaruzzaman had subsequently sought shelter in Jamaat-e-Islami.

The defence rejected the allegations and maintained that Akhtaruzzaman was entitled to bail.

After hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail petition and ordered that Akhtaruzzaman be sent to jail.

Meanwhile, a number of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists had gathered in the court premises ahead of his appearance and chanted slogans in his support.

After the hearing, BNP-aligned lawyers reportedly went downstairs and attempted to remove the Jamaat supporters from the court premises. Arguments broke out between the two groups and several people were allegedly assaulted and forced out of the court area.

Jamaat-aligned lawyers then came downstairs to protect their supporters, leading to another confrontation and pushing between lawyers from the two sides.

Police eventually intervened and brought the situation under control.

- MAL/MaT