CID allowed to probe role of Khaleda, Nizami

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday received permission to probe the case filed by a victim against detained former premier Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman, Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami and 25 others for the grenade attack on an Awami League (AL) rally on August 21, 2004.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate passed the order after Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of CID Mohammad Fazlul Kabir, also the investigation officer (IO) of the original case, submitted a petition to investigate the petition case jointly.
On June 5 last year, diploma engineer Badar Aziz Uddin from Cox's Bazar filed the case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka against the accused for committing the crime. Badar was also wounded in the attack that left 23 killed and scores injured on the AL rally on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.
In the petition, ASP Fazlul Kabir mentioned that after filing the case, the magistrate asked the officer-in-charge (OC) of Paltan police to inquire into the case and submit a report. But the case should be merged with the case that was filed by Motijheel police following the incident and that both cases should be investigated jointly. So, he sought permission from the court, the IO added.
The other accused in the petition case filed by Badar are Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, former BNP state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, former BNP lawmakers Amanullah Aman, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, Mirza Abbas, Mosaddak Ali Falu, Barkat Ullah Bulu, Salahuddin Ahmed, Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, Helaluzzaman Talukder Lalu, Krishak Dal General Secretary Shahjahan Mian, Islami Bank Managing Director Nurul Islam and businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun.
The complainant said former BNP lawmakers Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu, Helaluzzaman Talukder Lalu, businessman Giasuddin Al Mamun, Islami Bank Managing Director Nurul Islam, Krishak Dal General Secretary Shahjahan and some unidentified goons hurled grenades on the AL rally moments after Sheikh Hasina had stepped down from the dais.
The blasts were carried out on instructions from BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP Tarique Rahman, Jamaat chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid, former BNP lawmakers Amanullah Aman, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, Mirza Abbas, Mosaddak Ali Falu, Barkat Ullah Bulu and Salahuddin Ahmed, added the complainant.
The other accused in the case include Jamaat leader Abdul Kader Mollah, Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah, then National Security Intelligence (NSI) chief Maj Gen (retd) Rezzakul Haider, then police chief Modabbir Hossain Chowdhury, former BNP minister Aminul Huq, Rajshahi City Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, former additional inspector general of police Faruq Ahmed, former Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Khoda Bux, Islami Bank Chairman Abdul Halim, Shahidul Huq Jamal of Pirojpur, ward commissioner and BNP leader Chowdhury Alam and AKM Ahsanul Tayab Zakir of Bogra.
On November 1 last year, Harkat-Ul Jihad leader Mufti Abdul Hannan, his brother Mohibullah and two others had given confessional statements to a magistrate disclosing names of others responsible for the grenade attack of August 21, 2004.
CID has so far arrested 28 people including BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu. Out of the arrestees, 18 were granted bails by the High Court and lower courts on different dates.