Vandalism, assaulting police: Charges framed against 51 BNP leaders in 2017 case

A Dhaka court today (September 15, 2022) framed charges against 51 BNP leaders and activists, including Amanullah Aman in a case filed over vandalising vehicles and assaulting police in Dhaka's Dainik Bangla intersection in October 2017.

BNP leaders Khairul Kabir Khokon and Habib-Un-Nabi Khan Sohel are among the accused in the case.

Aman, Sohel, Khokon and 48 others, now on bail, pleaded not guilty and demanded justice after Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tofazzal Hossain read out the charges to them.

Earlier in the day, the magistrate dismissed motions to release them from the charges in the case and set February 1, 2023, as the start date for the trial.

According to the case statement, it was alleged that around 9:05am on October 10 of 2017 a group of BNP leaders and activists led by Aman brought out a procession in protest against the order for issuance of an arrest warrant against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in front of Dainik Bangla Crossing and vandalised vehicles, assaulted policemen and prevented them from discharging their duties.

Following the incident, Sub-inspector Shahidul Islam of Motijheel Police Station filed a case against Aman, Khokon, Sohel and 10 others in this connection.

SI Shafiqul Islam Akond of the same police station and also the investigation officer of the case found involvement of 51 including the FIR-named 13 accused in the case.