Arrest warrant issued against BNP leader Rafiqul, 15 others

A Dhaka court issued on Monday arrest warrant against 16 BNP leaders, including its standing committee member Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah, in a case for hurling petrol bomb at a bus in the city's Pallabi area on January 26, reports UNB.

Dhaka Metropolitan Special Judge-1 Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah issued the arrest warrant against them, as they did not appear before the court during the hearing on the case.

Earlier on April 30, Abu Syed, sub inspector (SI) of Pallabi thana and the investigation officer of the case, submitted the charge sheet against 21 leaders and activists of the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

The accused against whom the arrest warrants have been issued also include Khaleda Zia's press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, special assistant to BNP chairperson advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, former Chhatradal president Azizul Bari Helal and Swechchhasebak Dal central president Habibunnabi Khan Sohel.

During the countrywide blockade on January 25 and hartal, the BNP leaders and activists allegedly blasted a petrol bomb at a bus of 'Sikhor Paribahan' in front of KFC restaurant in the city's Pallabi area.

Later, Jakir Hossain, driver of the bus, filed a case in this connection under the Special Powers Act with Pallabi thana.