Dhaka, Aug 25 (V7N) — A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for Touhid Afridi following his arrest in connection with a politically sensitive murder case linked to last year’s anti-discrimination protest in the capital.

On Monday, Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque of Dhaka Metropolitan Court approved a five-day remand for Touhid Afridi after a hearing on a petition submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which had sought a seven-day remand.

Afridi was produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court earlier in the day after being arrested in Barishal on Sunday. CID investigators brought him to court as part of their ongoing inquiry into the fatal shooting of Asadul Haque Babu during a protest on August 5 last year in the Jatrabari area of Dhaka.

During the hearing, Afridi’s defense lawyer argued that the accused has no political affiliation and is not a member of any political party. The lawyer also presented a photograph showing Afridi’s father, Nasir Uddin Sathi, standing beside opposition leader Khaleda Zia, to counter any claims of political motivation. The court was also informed that Afridi suffers from kidney complications, and a request was made to allow ambulance transportation during custody.

Despite the defense's appeal for bail, the court rejected the petition and ordered the five-day remand.

Witnesses reported moments of unrest and tension inside the courtroom during the hearing. Following the court’s decision, Afridi was seen walking with a limp as he was escorted out of the courtroom.

Touhid Afridi’s father, Nasir Uddin Sathi, Chairman of MyTV, was previously arrested on August 17 from Gulshan in connection with the same case. Afridi is listed as the 11th accused, while his father is the 22nd on the charge sheet filed by police.

The case stems from the killing of Asadul Haque Babu, who was reportedly shot during an anti-discrimination demonstration in Jatrabari. Babu’s father, Zainal Abedin, later filed a murder case accusing 25 individuals, including high-profile political figures, among them Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing and that further arrests or charges may follow, depending on new evidence.

END/KMD/SMA/