'Bloodied hands from rusted handcuffs': Palak while being taken from court to jail

Former State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak has alleged that his hands became bloodied from rusted handcuffs while being taken back to jail after appearing in court in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

On Monday, September 28, Palak appeared before the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Shahjahan Kabir in the ACC's case of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income and money laundering.

The day was fixed for submitting the investigation report in the case. However, as the ACC could not submit the report, the court set a new date of November 23.

After the appearance, while being taken from the court lockup to jail in a prison van, Palak raised both hands and said, "Bloodied hands from rusted handcuffs." At that time, he showed a V sign.

Later, his lawyer Tarikul Islam told journalists that Palak has been in jail for a long time. He alleged that he has been shown arrested in various cases and subjected to torture and persecution. The lawyer also claimed that he is not being granted bail and that his human rights are being violated.

He said that by saying "bloodied hands from rusted handcuffs", Palak meant that he has been deprived of justice.

On December 12, 2024, ACC Deputy Director Md Mostafizur Rahman filed the case at the Integrated Dhaka District Office-1.

The First Information Report of the case stated that Zunaid Ahmed Palak illegally acquired and possessed movable and immovable assets worth Tk 8,73,47,042, inconsistent with his known sources of income.

Additionally, the case alleged that he carried out unusual transactions by depositing a total of Tk 32,04,95,314 and withdrawing Tk 29,84,72,095 in 25 bank accounts in his name. The FIR stated that through these transactions, the offence of money laundering of bribe and corruption money was committed.

Earlier, Palak was arrested on August 15, 2024, after the fall of the government. He was subsequently remanded at various times in multiple cases, including murder and attempted murder cases. He is currently detained in jail.