Former MP Zafar Alam sent to jail in murder cases

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered former Cox’s Bazar-1 MP Md Zafar Alam to be sent to jail in two separate murder cases, including a 2012 murder case and the 2023 killing of Jubo Dal leader Shamim Molla.

The tribunal passed the orders on Wednesday (Sept 23).

Zafar Alam, a former lawmaker from the Chakaria-Pekua constituency, was arrested from Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area on April 27. The following day, he was shown arrested in the murder case filed with Paltan Police Station over the killing of Shamim Molla.

At least 16 cases, including murder cases, have been filed against Zafar Alam in Dhaka, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Chakaria and Pekua since the fall of the Awami League government. Courts have already granted police remand for him in several of the cases.

Shamim Molla, a Jubo Dal leader, was killed during clashes in Dhaka’s Naya Paltan area on October 28, 2023, during a BNP grand rally.

On September 14 last year, a former Chhatra Dal leader filed the case with Paltan Police Station against 704 people, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, over the incident. Zafar Alam was also named as an accused.

Police showed Zafar Alam arrested in the case on April 28 and produced him before a court. His lawyers sought bail, but the court rejected the plea and ordered him to be sent to jail.

He has remained in custody since then.