Ripon murder case: Ex-senior secretary shown arrested

Former senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mohammad Jahangir Alam has been shown arrested in a case filed over the killing of rickshaw puller Ripon in the capital's Kotwali area during the July Uprising.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Nazmin Akter passed the order today (13 May) following a police petition. Public prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon confirmed the matter.

Earlier, the investigation officer of the case, Police Inspector Mohsin Uddin of the Detective Branch's Lalbagh Division, produced the accused before the court and filed a petition to show him arrested in the case.

The petition said sufficient evidence had been found regarding the accused's involvement in the incident. It also said the case is currently under investigation.

The petition further stated that if the accused, who is currently in jail custody, is released on bail, there is a possibility that he may abscond permanently and obstruct the investigation.

It said showing the accused arrested in the case was necessary in the interest of a fair investigation and justice.

According to the case statement, on 5 August 2024, during the July Uprising, Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League men attacked the gathering with sticks, hockey sticks and weapons at the instruction and instigation of the accused.

The accused created a terrifying situation in the area and opened fire indiscriminately. Ripon was shot in the neck and fell to the ground, according to the case statement.

Locals later took him to a nearby hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases for better treatment, where he died on 7 August.

Following the incident, the victim's wife, Shamima Akter, filed a case naming 31 people, including Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader, and 200 to 250 unidentified people as accused.