Summary:
- Former Food Minister Kamrul Islam caused a scene at Dhaka court after being forced to climb to the 4th floor instead of using the elevator, leading to a heated exchange with police officers.
- The incident occurred during a hearing where Islam, along with former ICT Minister Palak and ex-IGP Mamun, were brought to court wearing protective gear including bulletproof vests.
- Public Prosecutor explained the stair usage was a security measure to avoid crowds, while noting Islam’s history of confrontational behavior in court.
- The defendants are facing charges in the murder case of Md. Ali during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, with Islam also under ACC investigation for illegal asset accumulation.
Former Food Minister Kamrul Islam expressed anger during a court hearing today when he was forced to climb stairs instead of using the elevator at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court. The incident occurred as he and other high-profile detainees were being escorted to the fourth floor for hearings in various murder cases[1].
In the chilly morning hours of January 8, Kamrul Islam was brought to court along with former ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, and two others. All detainees were equipped with helmets, handcuffs, and bulletproof jackets for security purposes[3][6].
The situation escalated when security personnel directed the group to use the stairs to reach the fourth-floor courtroom. “Is the court elevator broken? Why are we being made to walk up so many stairs?” Islam shouted at police officers. He further exclaimed, “There’s a limit to mischief. Are you playing games? You said second floor but are taking us to the fourth floor.”
Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Farki explained that the decision to use stairs was a security measure to avoid crowds of lawyers and justice seekers typically gathered near the elevators. He noted that Islam has a history of confrontational behavior during court appearances, often engaging in disputes with police and lawyers.
The defendants are facing charges related to multiple cases, including the murder of Md. Ali during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on July 19 last year. Islam, who was arrested in November 2024, is also under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission for alleged illegal asset accumulation during his tenure as Food Minister and State Minister for Law[1][4].
Defense lawyer Aftaf Mahmud Chowdhury criticized the court’s handling of the elderly Islam, arguing that forcing him to climb to the fourth floor when the hearing was originally scheduled for the second floor was an unnecessary hardship on the defendants.
Source: Kalbela
