The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Imprisoned BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman yesterday was placed on a five-day police remand in connection with two separate extortion cases.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sultan Mahmud granted two separate remand petions moved by police investigators, when the eldest son of detained former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, was produced before his court.

The Magistrate granted three-day remand, when Detective Branch's officer Hasan Ali sought for a 17-day remand in connection with a Tk 14.31 crore extortion case filed at Shahbagh Police Station on April 9. The same court granted Gulshan Police Station (thana) investigating officer (IO) sub-inspector Aminur Rashid's prayer for two-day remand of Tarique Rahman in connection with another Tk 81 lakh extortion case.

Harun Ferdous, a businessman, who lodged the second case at Gulshan thana had claimed that he had to pay Tk 81 lakh to Tarique Rahman through the latter's friend through as many as 86 shegues.

The prosecution submitted that Giasuddin Al Mamun, business partner of Tarique and co-accused in the cases had implicated him (Tarique) in the extortion case in his confessional statement. Therefore, Tarique need to be interrogated in presence of Mamun.

Witnesess said Tarique Rahman was visibly nervous by the court order. He kept his head down to avoid inquisitive eyes of his supporters.

The court rejected the plea of Tarique's counsel to be present during the interrogation of their client by police.

The desperate counsel were quick in submitting a petition seeking a stay of the judgement for seven days allowing their client to move the higher court against the orders. The court rejected the petition.

Dozens of lawyers who appeared for Tarique frustrated by the court decision staged demonstration in the court premises.

"Barely a week ago the court had refused police remand for Tarique and had ordered for his interrogation at the jail gate, if necessary. Now it seems the administration has influenced the court," said one of the defence lawyers requesting anonymity.