Shortly after the arrest, police produced Hannan and his son Shah Rezaul Hannan before a Gazipur court that placed them on five-day remand in connection with an extortion case.

Police went to Hannan Shah's New DOHS residence at Mohakhali in the capital at around 1:00pm and left the place after an hour with the immediate past prime minister's adviser and his son at 2:00pm.

This is the first ever arrest of an ex-army officer turned politician since the caretaker government started crackdown on corrupt high profile politicians, businessmen and professionals.

After a long political hibernation, Hannan Shah became active in BNP politics in the recent weeks when other front ranking party leaders kept low profile amidst state of emergency and crackdown on corrupt politicians by the interim government.

He usually spoke for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia who apparently remained interned at her cantonment residence since the January 11 changeover. Recently he told reporters that pressure is still on for Khaleda Zia's going abroad.

Witnesses said over 200 plainclothes and uniform law enforcers cordoned off the house of Hannan Shah on road No 5 since 1:00pm.

At one stage around 15 of them went to the first floor of the four-storey building and asked Hannan Shah to go with them to the police station when Hannan wanted to know whether they had any written order, Hannan Shah's personal officer Mohammad Selim told The Daily Star.

The law enforcers said they did not have any written order, but they had come to arrest him at the directive of their high-ups.

"Sir [Hannan Shah] then told the law enforcers that he would go with them after having his lunch," Selim said, adding that after launch Hannan offered Zohar prayers and then went with the law enforcers at around 2:00pm. His elder son Rezaul Hannan was also arrested with him.

"My father has been arrested for his outspoken role for the party," Shah Riazul Hannan, younger son of Hannan Shah, told reporters.

Following the arrest, Hannan Shah's wife Nahid Hannan fainted.

"Don't worry. Inshaallah, I will return with due honour," Nahid Hannan quoted her husband as saying after regaining her consciousness.

Hannan and his arrested son were first taken to Cantonment Police Station from where Kapashia police took him to their custody.

Hannan Shah is accused in four cases, the latest one being filed against him and his son Rezaul Hannan on Saturday night with Kapashia Police Station.

REMAND
Police produced Hannan Shah and Rezaul Hannan before the court of First Class Magistrate Kazi Nurunnahar at around 5:45pm seeking seven-day remand for each of them in connection with the extortion case filed against seven people including them with Kapashia Police Station on May 13, reports a correspondent from Gazipur.

After hearing from both prosecution and defence the court granted five-day remand for each of them.

Hannan and his son looked dejected on the dock.

Claiming his innocence, Hannan Shah told the court that he is a victim of political vengeance.