Khaleda Zia motorcade attack: Sramik League leader Kashem gets 5-day remand

A court has placed Md Abul Kashem Patwari, also known as 'Hatkata Kashem', president of Tejgaon Thana Sramik League, on a five-day remand in the case filed over the attack on former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's motorcade and the attempt to murder her. The order was given by the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam on Tuesday, August 25, following an application by the investigating officer.

Investigating officer Abdul Hannan, inspector of Tejgaon Police Station, had filed the application on August 20. The court today fixed the remand hearing in the presence of the accused.

Earlier, on August 18, he was sent to jail in the same case. Sub-Inspector Arif Reza of the prosecution division confirmed the matter.

He was arrested from the capital's Kawran Bazar area on August 17. In court today, the accused's lawyer Monir Hossain Sumon argued for the cancellation of the remand, while the state opposed it. After hearing both sides, the remand order was issued.

The case allegations state that on April 20, 2015, while participating in election campaigning for BNP-nominated mayoral candidate Tabith Awal in the Dhaka North City Corporation election, Khaleda Zia's motorcade was attacked in front of Bapex Bhaban, Pallavi Bhaban, the Family Planning Office and Kabyakas Supermarket in Kawran Bazar.

The allegations further state that at the time, leaders and activists of the Awami League and its various affiliated organisations, armed with weapons, carried out the attack. Several vehicles in Khaleda Zia's motorcade were vandalised. Several BNP leaders and activists, including a CSF security officer, were seriously injured.

Police said during the investigation, Abul Kashem Patwari was arrested from the Kawran Bazar area through reliable sources.

Police claim that preliminary interrogation has revealed information and evidence regarding his direct involvement in the incident of the case.