Third Remand Granted in Wadud Murder Case

A Dhaka court has authorised a third spell of remand for dismissed army officer Major (Retd) Manzil Haidar Chowdhury in connection with the murder of businessman Abdul Wadud during last year’s July protests in the capital. The latest order allows investigators to question the suspect for five additional days.

The order was issued on Thursday by Metropolitan Magistrate Hasib Ullah Piyas following a hearing on a fresh application submitted by Inspector Md Amjad Hossain Talukdar of the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Investigators had sought a seven-day remand after the expiry of a previous three-day period, arguing that further interrogation was necessary to uncover critical details. The court, however, granted five days.

This marks the third remand granted in the case. On 10 April, the court initially approved a four-day remand, followed by a second remand of three days on 13 April. According to prosecution sources, the cumulative period of custodial interrogation now stands at twelve days.

Manzil Haidar Chowdhury, formerly attached to the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), was arrested on 9 April from the Mohakhali DOHS area in Dhaka. Authorities allege that he played a significant role in violent actions during the anti-discrimination protests that intensified in July 2024.

According to the case statement, on 19 July 2024, armed হামলা and गोली were carried out on a procession of students and civilians near the New Market এলাকায়. During the incident, businessman Abdul Wadud sustained gunshot injuries and later died. Following the ঘটনায়, Wadud’s brother-in-law, Abdur Rahman, filed a murder case naming 130 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and senior রাজনৈতিক figures.

Investigators have claimed that the accused maintained close ties with Major General (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, who previously served as defence adviser to the former prime minister. The remand application alleges that Chowdhury acted under Siddique’s direction and facilitated financial transactions, as well as the procurement and distribution of arms and ammunition linked to the ঘটনাসমূহ.

Although the suspect has reportedly admitted to involvement in violent activities during initial questioning, investigators state that he has withheld key information regarding accomplices and operational networks. Authorities argue that extended interrogation is essential to identify other individuals directly involved and to verify intelligence gathered so far.

Remand Timeline

Law enforcement officials maintain that the ongoing interrogation aims to establish a comprehensive account of the ঘটনাপ্রবাহ, including the chain of command, financial flows, and logistical arrangements behind the হামলা. The case remains under active investigation, with further legal proceedings expected upon completion of the remand period.