Palak in court seeking privileges: 'I have 98 cases against me, was on remand for 99 days'

Former State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak has addressed the court, requesting to increase the facilities for discussions with lawyers and family in prison. He told the court that there are currently 98 cases against him and he was already on remand for 99 days.

On Sunday (July 26), in the court of Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka's Special Judge's Court-4, he said this while standing in the dock during the hearing of the charge sheet in the murder case of truck driver Md. Hossain during the July movement.

During the hearing, Palak told the court that he is unable to wear a helmet as per the doctor's advice due to a neck injury. He also said, "I get the opportunity to talk to my family for only half an hour in 15 days." He applied for privileged communication (privileged communication) for at least two days every two weeks and three hours every day for legal discussions. After the hearing, the court ordered to take necessary action as per the Prison Code.

Details of the murder and the case

According to the case records, on July 19, 2024, during the movement in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, a freight truck driver Md. Hossain was shot dead. Later, the deceased's wife Md. Reena Begum filed a case against 16 people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

After the investigation, Mohammadpur Police Station filed a charge sheet against a total of 34 people, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The court has fixed August 13 for the next charge-setting hearing of the case.