A Dhaka court on Wednesday placed Nuruzzaman Nomani, also known as Ujjal, on a three-day remand in connection with the attempted murder of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
The remand was granted following Ujjal’s arrest over allegations that he assisted prime accused Faisal Karim Masud in fleeing by private car.
Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam issued the order after the investigating officer, Motijheel Police Inspector Faisal Ahmed, had requested a seven-day remand. After hearing both sides, the court approved three days.
Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi argued that Ujjal’s remand was necessary, noting that the parents of Faisal Karim Masud had already been arrested in connection with the case. “Interrogation of the arrested individuals has revealed Ujjal’s involvement. On the day of the attack, when Faisal left his sister’s residence, Ujjal assisted him in fleeing by private car. The weapon used in the attack has not yet been recovered, and the prime accused remains at large. His whereabouts are unknown. Placing Ujjal on remand will help uncover crucial information,” he said.
During the hearing, the investigating officer told the court that Ujjal had arranged a microbus to help Faisal escape and added that a five-day remand was necessary to recover the weapon.
As no defense lawyer was present, Ujjal was allowed to speak on his own behalf. He told the court, “I run a car rental business and operate through WhatsApp. Although I have known Faisal for nine months, I had no contact with him over the past three months. On the day of the incident, he suddenly asked me to send a vehicle, and I did so as part of my business. I did not know what he intended to do with the vehicle.”
Magistrate Jashita Islam reminded him, “Remand is not a punishment. You should cooperate with the investigating officer.”
It may be noted that the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Ujjal along with Faisal Karim Masud’s parents from Keraniganj on Tuesday. The parents are currently giving statements at separate courts of the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court.
According to case details, on December 12, shortly after Friday prayers, one of two assailants on a motorcycle shot Sharif Osman Bin Hadi in the head while he was sitting in a moving rickshaw on Box Culvert Road in Old Paltan, Dhaka. He was critically injured and initially taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Evercare Hospital. He has since been sent to Singapore for advanced treatment.
