Is Former Bangladesh Law Minister Anisul Huq Facing Legal Troubles Over Illegal Firearms?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Former Law Minister Anisul Huq is on a two-day remand for illegal firearms possession.
- A total of 58 days of remand have been approved for Huq in various cases.
- The Anti-Corruption Commission has charged Huq with accumulating illegal wealth.
- The current situation is perceived as a significant political maneuvering by the interim government.
- Huq's arrest followed the collapse of the former Awami League government amidst violence.
Dhaka, July 7 (NationPress) A court in Bangladesh has ordered a two-day remand for former Law Minister Anisul Huq due to alleged possession of illegal firearms in connection with a case filed under the Arms Act.
The decision was made by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Minhazur Rahman after reviewing a police request for remand, as reported by Azizul Haque Didar, the Additional Public Prosecutor of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court, according to leading Bangladeshi publication Prothom Alo.
The investigating officer presented Huq to the court, seeking a five-day remand for further questioning about the case lodged at the Banani Police Station in Dhaka.
Conversely, Huq's defense team urged the court to dismiss the police's remand request.
Ultimately, after considering both arguments, the court granted a two-day remand.
Huq was apprehended on August 13, 2024, following the collapse of the former Awami League government amidst a violent uprising.
Reports indicate that the courts have sanctioned a total of 58 days of remand for the former Law Minister across various cases so far.
Last month, a Dhaka court approved a five-day remand for Huq in relation to a murder case registered at Shahbagh Police Station.
Earlier this year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) initiated a case against Huq, alleging he amassed illegal wealth totaling Bangladeshi Taka 1.46 billion (Tk 146 crore) by abusing his power.
As part of a sustained crackdown on the Awami League, several party leaders have recently been placed under police remand for questioning by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Analysts view these developments as a significant political vendetta orchestrated by the interim administration, with multiple cases filed against the former Prime Minister and her allies on seemingly trivial grounds immediately following her ousting in August 2024.
The abrupt departure of Hasina last August was perceived globally as a considerable setback for democracy in Bangladesh.