Pabna, Apr 15 (V7N)– Six leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer inside the Pabna District and Sessions Judge's Court. The incident reportedly occurred after the officer intervened to prevent them from recording a video during a court hearing.

"A police officer on duty was beaten up inside a court in Pabna for preventing him from recording a video during a hearing. Police have detained six BNP leaders and activists in the incident. The incident took place at the Pabna District and Sessions Judge's Court on Tuesday (April 15) afternoon," reported a Pabna Correspondent.

The six individuals arrested have been identified as:

Awal Kabir (38), Joint Convener of the Ishwardi Municipal Volunteer Party
Sarwar Jahan Shishir (33), a candidate for the post of president of the Municipal Chhatra Dal (BNP's student wing)
Kalam Khan (40), Joint General Secretary of the Dashuria Union Volunteer Party
Rubel Hossain (33), General Secretary of the Municipal Ward 4 Volunteer Party
Sabuj Hossain (35)
Zahurul Islam (35), a member of the Salimpur Union Krishak Dal (BNP's farmers' wing)
Police and eyewitness accounts suggest that the incident unfolded during a hearing related to a sabotage case from November 15, 2023, which was filed during the tenure of the Awami League government. The six detainees were present in court to appear in this case. While the hearing was in progress, they allegedly began taking pictures inside the courtroom. Police officer Shah Alam, who was on duty, instructed them to stop recording. This intervention reportedly enraged the BNP activists, leading to the alleged assault on the officer.

"Police and eyewitnesses said that on November 15, 2023, a hearing was held in Ishwardi for a sabotage case during the then Awami League. The detainees came to appear in that case. While the appearance was going on, they stood in the courtroom and took pictures. At that time, policeman Shah Alam, who was there, stopped them from taking pictures. Enraged by this, those leaders and activists beat up the policeman," the correspondent detailed.

Court lawyer and other individuals present at the time reportedly intervened to rescue the assaulted police officer, who was then taken to the hospital for initial medical treatment. Following the conclusion of the court hearing, the six alleged attackers were arrested.

"At that time, the court lawyer and the people present rescued him and took him to the hospital for primary treatment. Later, after the court hearing, they were arrested," the report confirmed.

Court Inspector Rashedul Islam confirmed the arrests, stating that legal action is being taken against the six individuals.

"Confirming the matter, Court Inspector Rashedul Islam said that six people were immediately arrested. Legal action is being taken against them," Inspector Islam stated.

Masud Khandaker, a lawyer and former president of the Pabna Bar Association, as well as the member secretary of the district BNP, condemned such incidents within the courtroom as unacceptable. He stated that if any BNP member is found to have committed such an act, organizational and legal action will undoubtedly be taken against them.

"In this regard, lawyer Masud Khandaker, former president of the Pabna Bar Association and member secretary of the district BNP, said, 'Such incidents are unacceptable in the courtroom. If someone from the BNP has really committed such an incident, then organizational and legal action will definitely be taken against them,'" Khandaker affirmed.

END/SRP/RH/