AL leader Balaram denied bail, lands in jail

Awami League (AL) leader Balaram Poddar has been sent to jail in a case filed over attempting to murder one Md Shakib during the student-led July-August mass uprising.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Minhajur Rahman passed the order on Thursday (December 26) as Sub-Inspector (SI) of Ramna Model Police Station Mostafizur Rahman, also the investigating officer of the case, produced Poddar, former vice-president of banned Chhatra League, before the court and pleaded to keep him behind the bars.

A team of Ramna Police Station arrested Balaram Poddar from his Kakrail home on December 25.

According to the case documents, Shakib joined anti-discrimination student rally in the capital’s Kakrail area on July 19. Awami League cadres armed with firearms and local weapons attacked the protestors, injuring many including Shakib. He was later rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital where he received necessary treatment.

On December 11, Shakib filed the case with the Ramna Police Station against 146 people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.