4 remanded in involuntary manslaughter case

A Dhaka court on Saturday granted two-day remand for four people in a case filed in connection with the devastating fire accident on Dhaka’s Bailey Road on Thursday night that claimed 46 lives and burnt dozens of people, on charges of 'attempted murder and involuntary manslaughter'.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Nurul Huda Chowdhury passed the order after the accused were produced before the court with a remand prayer, said Sub Inspector Md Nizam Uddin, officer at the court’s general registration section, according to media reports.

Those who were remanded are owners of coffee shop 'Cha Chumuk' Anwarul Haque (29) and Shakil Ahmed Rimon, Kacchi Bhai's owner Sohail Siraj (34), and manager of the building and also an official pof Amin ohammad Group Munsi Hamimul Alam Bipul (40).

Of them, the first trio was arrested on Friday and the last one was on Saturday.

Earlier on Friday, Sub-inspector of Ramna police station Shahidul Islam filed the case on charges of 'attempted murder and involuntary manslaughter' as the plaintiff against the four accused. Involuntary manslaughter is defined as an unintentional killing that results from recklessness or criminal negligence.

According to the statement of the case, the owner of Green Cozy Cottage which was burnt in the fire is owned by Amin Mohammad Group. Munshi Hamimul Alam was in-charge of the management of the building on behalf of the Group. The building was rented out for commercial use in violation of the rules. The accused were illegally doing business by opening restaurants there. They did this by 'managing' Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) shop inspectors.

According to the statement, explosion of a gas cylinder in a restaurant on the ground floor of the building was the source of the fire. The fire spread throughout the building very quickly. Gas cylinders were stored on stairways there without taking proper precautions.