Former Food Minister Kamrul Islam‍‍`s threat in court following arrest in murder case

A Dhaka court has granted remand for former Food Minister Kamrul Islam for 8 days in connection with the murder of businessman Abdul Wadud. 

Kamrul, an influential member of the Awami League, was arrested on November 18, and the remand order was passed by Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Mohammad Ziadur Rahman, on Tuesday, November 19.

In the court hearing, the police explained that Kamrul Islam was linked to the killing of Abdul Wadud, which took place during a student protest on July 19 in the Nilkhet area. 

They claimed Kamrul was directly involved in the violence, which included the police firing on peaceful protesters, leading to Wadud’s death. 

The police also said Kamrul, who held considerable political power in the area, had helped stir up fear among the locals, which led to the shooting.

Kamrul’s defense team, however, denied all the charges and insisted that he was innocent. 

They asked the court to grant him bail, but the prosecution argued that remanding him in police custody was necessary for further investigation.

At one point during the hearing, the judge asked Kamrul if he had anything to say. 

Kamrul told the court that he wasn’t the elected MP of the area where the incident took place and claimed he was being falsely accused as part of a personal vendetta.

He also made a comment that raised eyebrows in the courtroom. Kamrul said, “This day is not the day; there are more days to come.” 

His words caused a stir, with some lawyers linked to the opposition BNP shouting in response.

After hearing both sides, the judge ruled in favor of the 8-day remand, and Kamrul was taken into custody.

The case is connected to the fatal shooting of Abdul Wadud, who was killed at around 5 p.m. on July 19, as he was walking near Newmarket’s Gate No. 1. 

At the time, a peaceful student protest was taking place in the area. Wadud was hit by gunfire, and despite being rushed to the hospital, he was declared dead.

The murder case was filed in August by Wadud’s brother-in-law, Abdur Rahman, and it has named over 130 people, including high-ranking political leaders like former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader.

According to the case, the shooting happened after a few individuals made inflammatory speeches that led to the police opening fire on innocent bystanders. 

Many students and passersby were injured, and Wadud, a businessman from the Priyangan Shopping Center, was one of the victims.