I haven’t committed any crime: Palak

Former State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak has claimed innocence in connection with the July–August massacre. He made the statement on Wednesday (June 25) while being produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka for a bail hearing in a murder case linked to the July uprising.

He was brought to the court around 10:30 am under tight police security, wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest. At that time, a journalist asked, “Palak Bhai, the national election is ahead. Will you seek an apology from the nation for the July massacre?”

In response, Palak said, “I haven’t committed any crime. I am innocent.”

Responding to another question, he added that he is passing his time in prison by reading various types of books.

He was produced before the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Dilruba Afroz Tithi. Following this, police filed a petition to show Palak and former minister Hasanul Haq Inu arrested in connection with the Ramzan murder case filed with Hatirjheel Police Station in the capital. After the hearing, the court granted the petition and passed the order at 10:40 am.

According to the case statement, on July 19, a procession in support of the quota reform movement was brought out by students and members of the public in the Wapda Road area of West Rampura. Ramzan Mia, the victim, took part in that procession. Around 10 am, he was shot in the chest during an attack allegedly carried out by police and Awami League activists.

Local residents rescued Ramzan in a bullet-hit state and took him to the nearby Better Life Hospital, where doctors gave him primary treatment and referred him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for advanced care. However, due to proximity, he was being taken to Mugda Medical College Hospital instead. He died on the way around 12 pm that day.

Following the incident, the victim’s father, Md Liton Mia, filed a murder case at New Market Police Station in the capital on August 21.