Dhaka, August 14 — Former Law Minister Anisul Haque and Sheikh Hasina's Private Industry and Investment Advisor Salman F Rahman have been arrested and are currently waiting to be presented at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Dhaka. The arrests were made on Tuesday evening in the Sadarghat area of the capital.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mainul Hasan confirmed the arrests, stating that both individuals were apprehended in connection with a murder case filed at Newmarket Police Station. The case relates to the deaths of two individuals—a student and a hawker—during a clash on July 16, 2024, in front of Dhaka College, which occurred amidst the anti-discrimination student movement.
According to the police, the two former ministers have been implicated as instigators in the murder case. Their arrest occurred while they were allegedly attempting to flee the country via the Sadarghat river port.
This development follows the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, amidst intense student-led protests. Since then, many members of her cabinet have reportedly gone into hiding, attempting to evade legal action and public scrutiny.
The arrests of Anisul Haque and Salman F Rahman mark a significant escalation in the ongoing legal and political fallout from the student movement, which has dramatically reshaped the political landscape in Bangladesh. Both men are expected to face formal charges in the coming days.
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