Attention: Moderator, mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com

Dear Muktomonas,

The Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka yesterday (23rd May) rejecting the bail
petition of Dr. Kazi Faruk Ahmed granted 3-day remand under police custody
asking them to extend civilized behaviour to the accused.

Ajoy Roy

Dhaka
24. 05. 04


Dr. Kazi Faruk Ahmed taken to police remand

-Ajoy Roy


The Proshika chief was produced before the Dhaka metropolitan magisterial
court of Ms Shamim Ara Khatun at about 2 p.m. yesterday (23rd May). The
police pleaded for at least 10 days remand. The public prosecutor (PP)
Abdullah Mahmud Hasan, supported by special PP F R Khan argued in favour of
the police demand because two cases of malpractice and corruption of very
serious nature were lying with Pallabi Police station against Proshika chief
and some of his close associates. The prosecution based their arguments on
alleged misdeeds given below:
1. Abolition of post of executive director replacing it with President and
thereby increasing his salary by 25% . Instead of increasing the salary of 8
thousand employees, the Proshika authority enhanced the salary of only 12
officials.
2. Instead of deducting income tax from the salary of the employees,
Proshika paid income tax of its employees from its own fund to the tune of
Tk. 2 crore 15 lakh 85 thousand 6 hundred and 31 taka.
3. David William Biswas, next to Dr’ Ahmed, appropriated a sum of Tk
66,871/- for himself and Mahbuul Karim, Senior Vice President did the same
amounting Tk 34,272 and another senior official, Sirajul Islam
misappropriated a sum of Tk. 38,812 for his own.

The prosecution appealed to the court that in view of the serious
allegations brought against Dr. Ahmed in connection of two cases and similar
other cases pending in Pallabi PS the police needs him for extensive and
intensive interrogation for getting information from him.

Challenging the prosecution’s contention the advocates appearing for the
accused, led by barrister Tania Amir said that allegations are baseless,
motivated and aimed to harass the accused. They further argued that
Proshika, a leading NGO devoted to human rights and empowerment of weaker
section of our society including women, has been working for poverty
alleviation and eradication of illiteracy among the down trodden mass since
its inception. Barrister Tania pleaded for immediate bail canceling the
remand petition of the police.

The learned magistrate, as expected, rejecting the bail move, granted 3-day
remand under police custody. The court however warned the interrogating
authority to follow civilized method and instructed the police to produce
the accused before her court on 27th May.

Dr. Ahmed himself pleaded innocent and charged the government that it is
harassing him unlawfully with vengeance with sole aim to harm him physically
as well to destroy his organization. ‘It is simply a political motivation’,
said Proshika Chief. Hundreds of Proshika employees including his wife and
two children assembled before the court chanting slogans for his release.
But who cares !

After the remand order police took him to an unknown destination for
interrogation. His family does not his whereabouts. The Canadian High
Commissioner was refused permission to see Dr. Kazi Faruk Ahmed.

Police barred to hold Human Chain Formation

Yesterday (23rd May) thousands of Proshika employees assemble inside the
Muktangan premise to hold a protest rally and form a human chain in protest
of Government’s willful harassment against the Institution, its workers, and
officials on the basis of false allegations. But the police intervened and
dispersed them with lathi charge. During the police operation many were
injured and meted with insulting and obscene remarks. They even did not
spare Faruk’s wife Mrs. Shahana Faruk. After being dispersed from Muktangan,
the employees tried to form a human chain in front of the Press Club under
the leadership Mrs. Faruk, which was again scattered away by the police.

In the meanwhile Sheikh Hasina, AL Chief in a statement condemned the arrest
of Dr. Kazi Faruk and other Proshika employees. She also termed the
government action against Proshika and its officials including its chief as
politically motivated and directed to take control of the Proshika
administration and grab its assets and properties. Other social and cultural
organizations, including Sammilita Sanskrit Jote, Mahila Parishad, Ain O
Salis Kendra, and Sammilito Samajik Andolon also condemned the incident and
demanded immediate release of the so-called accused.


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