Former Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak Breaks Down in Court, Remains Silent on Question About Tears

Image: Former ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak in Dhaka’s CMM Court

Former State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak broke down in tears while standing in the dock at Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court on Wednesday. When police escorted him out of the courtroom, a journalist asked, “Palak Bhai, why did you cry today?” Palak remained silent, offering no response to any questions from the media. He was arrested in connection with a murder case filed at Jatrabari Police Station.

**Inmates in the Same Prison Building**

Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on 5 August 2024, triggered by a student-led uprising, former Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman and former Law Minister Anisul Huq were arrested together on 13 August from Sadarghat, Dhaka, according to police. Their lawyers confirmed that both are currently detained in Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj, housed in the same building, Champakali, but in separate cells. They are transported to court in the same prison van and return to jail together after hearings.

Also detained in the Champakali building are former ministers Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Kamrul Islam, former Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam, and former secretaries Jahangir Alam, Helal Uddin Ahmed, Mahibul Haq, and Nazibur Rahman. Anisul’s lawyer, Asifur Rahman, told Prothom Alo that none of Anisul’s close relatives are currently in the country. He visits Anisul in jail every 15 days, where Anisul spends his time reading newspapers, religious texts, and law books. Salman’s lawyer also confirmed regular visits, noting that Salman has no close relatives in the country and passes his time reading newspapers and religious texts. Dhaka Central Jail’s Senior Jail Superintendent Suraiya Akter stated that Salman, Anisul, and 60 other first-class prisoners are housed in the same building but are not allowed to interact with other inmates. However, they meet each other daily. Per prison regulations, first-class prisoners can meet close relatives (parents, spouse, or children) every 15 days. Their diet includes fish and meat, and special meals like panta-ilish were provided during Pohela Boishakh, with meat served during the last two Eids. Salman and Anisul were brought to the CMM Court on Wednesday in connection with the Jatrabari murder case. At 10:25 AM, they stood side by side in the dock, visibly somber, engaging in quiet conversation. Seven minutes later, former minister Dipu Moni was brought into the dock and began speaking with Palak. Dipu Moni then moved toward Salman’s side, exchanging greetings with him and later with Anisul. The three continued talking softly until the judge arrived at 10:35 AM. Police presented applications to formally arrest Salman, Anisul, Dipu Moni, Amir Hossain Amu, and Zunaid Ahmed Palak in separate murder cases linked to Jatrabari Police Station. During this time, Dipu Moni, Anisul, and Salman continued their hushed conversation. At one point, a police officer called out Salman’s name, and he raised his right hand to confirm his presence. While Anisul, Salman, and Dipu Moni conversed, Palak stared toward the courtroom balcony, where a relative stood. He communicated with them through gestures and began crying, wiping tears with his right hand before standing in the dock with a heavy expression. After the hearing, police placed helmets on all except Amu and Dipu Moni, and handcuffed Anisul, Salman, and Palak with their hands behind their backs. They stood with their heads lowered. As Palak was escorted out, a journalist again asked about his tears, but he remained silent. While being taken down from the fifth floor of the court building, Salman followed Palak. An onlooker, enraged upon seeing Salman, hurled insults at him. Salman kept his head down and continued descending the stairs. Amu followed Salman, with two police constables holding his arms as they escorted him downstairs. Dipu Moni, who followed Amu, also kept her head lowered. Her lawyer, Foysal Gazi, told Prothom Alo that Dipu Moni is detained at Kashimpur Women’s Jail, where she spends her time reading newspapers and religious texts.