Ilias tried to contact lawyer before missing: IO

BNP leader M Ilias Ali had repeatedly tried to communicate with one of his lawyers over cell phone an hour before his missing but failed, an investigation officer (IO) told a Dhaka court yesterday.
Banani Police Station Officer-in-Charge and also the IO of the case Kazi Mainul Islam said this while he was submitting his eight reports on the progress of investigation into disappearances of former lawmaker Ilias Ali and his driver.
Ilias, BNP organising secretary (Sylhet Division), and his driver remained missing since April 18.
In his report, Mainul said before his missing on the night of April 17, Ilias along with his five supporters had been staying at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel for over an hour and had repeatedly tried to contact his lawyer, Khondaker Ahsan Tarique. But Ahsan did not response to it.
Moreover, Ilias had talked to one of his relatives, businessman Mohammad Sajal, and his family members at the hotel. Later, he went out of the hotel at 12:15am on that night and left there with his driver on a private car, Mainul added.
On April 19, Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Moniruzzaman directed Banani police to submit reports on the progress of investigation into their disappearances, in every 48 hours.