Former Prime Minister’s Adviser on Industry and Private Sector Affairs, Salman F Rahman, and former State Minister for ICT, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, have been remanded in custody for four days each in connection with an attempted murder case. The case stems from allegations of violence during an anti-discrimination student protest at Dhaka College.

On Wednesday, January 15, the two were presented at Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court from jail. The investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Md. Omar Faruk, submitted a petition requesting a seven-day remand for each accused. During the hearing, defense lawyer Farzana Yasmin Rakhi argued for the cancellation of the remand and applied for bail on their behalf. The prosecution, however, insisted on granting the remand for further investigation. After reviewing the case, Metropolitan Magistrate Imran Ahmed denied bail and approved four days of remand for both accused.

According to case details, Salman F Rahman was arrested on August 13 last year from Dhaka's Sadarghat area while allegedly attempting to flee via waterways. The following evening, on August 14, Zunaid Ahmed Palak was apprehended by Detective Branch police from the Nikunja residential area in Khilkhet while reportedly in hiding.

The incident at the heart of the case occurred on July 16 last year, during a peaceful march organized by students of Dhaka College as part of an anti-discrimination movement. Witnesses allege that leaders and activists of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League launched an armed attack on the protesters. Md. Shamim, a student of Dhaka College, sustained injuries from rubber bullets to his eyes and nose during the confrontation and required medical treatment.

On November 28 of last year, Md. Shamim filed an attempted murder case with the New Market Police Station, citing the attack as an attempt on his life.