Former Minister Nuruzzaman Shown Arrested in Murder Case

A court in Dhaka has formally recorded the arrest of former Social Welfare Minister Md. Nuruzzaman Ahmed, 70, in connection with a murder case filed at Jatrabari Police Station. The case pertains to the death of a young man during the anti-discrimination student movement in 2024.

On Monday, 13 April 2026, Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque issued the order following a formal petition submitted by the police. The development was confirmed by the state prosecutor, Shamsuddoha Suman. The court’s decision allows the investigative authorities to proceed with legal actions against the former minister specifically regarding this homicide.

Circumstances of the Incident

The legal proceedings stem from an incident on 20 July 2024, during the height of the mass protests against the then-Awami League government. According to the arrest petition, the victim, identified as Zubaid Islam, was fatally shot at approximately 7:30 pm. The shooting occurred near the underpass bridge adjacent to the Gobindapur market in the Shanir Akhra area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Jatrabari Police Station.

Police investigations subsequently identified Md. Nuruzzaman Ahmed as a suspect in the killing. The prosecution alleges that the actions of the defendants during the protests led to the discharge of firearms that resulted in the death of the victim.

Political Background and Detention History

Md. Nuruzzaman Ahmed served as the Minister for Social Welfare and was a Member of Parliament representing the Lalmonirhat-2 constituency (Aditmari-Kaliganj). His tenure ended following the collapse of the Awami League administration on 5 August 2024, amidst a widespread student-led uprising.

Following the change in government, Nuruzzaman Ahmed went into hiding. He was eventually apprehended by law enforcement agencies on 5 September 2024, at approximately 9:00 pm. The arrest took place in the Jummapara Post Office lane of Rangpur city, at the residence of his younger brother, Waheduzzaman. Since that time, he has remained in judicial custody, facing various charges related to the unrest.

Key Information Regarding the Case and Suspect

Legal Context and Current Status

The “shown arrested” (or “shown arrested in a new case”) procedure is a standard legal mechanism in Bangladesh used when an individual already in custody is formally implicated in an additional criminal case. This allows the police to seek a remand for questioning or to keep the individual detained specifically for the new investigation.

The anti-discrimination movement, which began as a protest against the civil service quota system, escalated into a nationwide revolt that resulted in hundreds of fatalities. Since the transition of power, several high-ranking officials of the previous administration, including cabinet ministers and lawmakers, have been detained. Md. Nuruzzaman Ahmed is among those facing multiple counts related to the use of force during the protests.

The investigation into the death of Zubaid Islam remains active. With the court’s latest order, the police are expected to present further evidence regarding the former minister’s alleged involvement as the judicial process continues in the Dhaka Metropolitan Courts. Ahmed currently remains in prison awaiting further hearings.