DHAKA: A court in Dhaka has granted police permission to question Awami League leader Balaram Poddar at the jail gate for one day in connection with an attempted murder case. The case stems from an incident during the student-led mass uprising in July and August, where Poddar is accused of attempting to murder Md Shakib.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saifuzzaman issued the order after Poddar, a former director of the state-run Janata Bank and Agrani Bank, was presented in court by the police. The police had requested a seven-day remand for Poddar, but the defense argued for his bail. After considering arguments from both sides, the magistrate decided to allow police interrogation at the jail gate for a single day.
Balaram Poddar was arrested by a team from the Ramna Police Station at his residence in the Kakrail area on December 25. The case documents reveal that Shakib was injured during an anti-discrimination student rally on July 19 in Kakrail. Protesters were reportedly attacked by individuals armed with firearms and local weapons, resulting in several injuries, including that of Shakib, who required treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
The case, filed by Shakib on December 11 at the Ramna Police Station, names 146 individuals, including the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as involved parties. The investigation continues as Poddar faces questioning regarding his alleged role in the attack.