Elevator ran but forced to climb 6 floors: Palak
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak expressed anger after being forced to walk up to the sixth floor of the court during a hearing in the murder case of a truck driver in Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
He made these remarks at Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 before Judge Robiul Alam on Thursday. At the same time, he requested to have his handcuffs placed in front of him. Addressing the prosecution lawyer, he said, “My distance from you is not very far.”
Court authorities produced eight out of the ten accused in the case, including Palak, before the court and then placed them in the dock.
Taking permission from the judge, Palak stood in the dock and added, “Honorable Court, what kind of system is this? I saw the elevator operating, yet with my handcuffs placed behind my back, I was forced to walk up six floors via stairs. My request to the court is to arrange to place the handcuffs in front, considering the humanitarian aspect.”
In response, the judge said, “This is for your own security.” Palak then said, “This is not your authority; this is the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Placing the handcuffs on the front is sufficient.”
However, because two accused failed to appear in court, the charge framing hearing did not take place.
Authorities later brought Palak down using the elevator. While being escorted to the court lockup, Palak addressed journalists, saying, “The lift remains out of order only for us.”
During the July uprising on 19 July 2024, truck driver Md Hossain suffered gunshot wounds in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, while two individuals named Sajjad and Shahin sustained injuries. Following Hossain’s death, his wife Mst Reena Begum filed a case on 31 August 2024, naming 16 individuals, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as accused.
Following the completion of the investigation, on 23 November 2025, case investigating officer and Mohammadpur Police Station Sub-Inspector Md Akramuzzaman submitted a charge sheet against 34 individuals in court.
