Khaleda motorcade attack: Case filed against 178 after seven years

A case has been filed against 178 individuals, including former Feni Superintendent of Police (SP) SM Jahangir Sarkar, in connection with a bomb attack on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's motorcade and the arson of two buses in Feni.

The case comes seven years after the incident.

On Sunday, Feni Senior Judicial Magistrate Syed Md Shafayat ordered the filing of the case.

The judge directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to investigate the matter and submit a report within 45 days.

Earlier, on November 28, Jamuna High Deluxe Transport Chairman Abul Kashem Milon filed the case in the Feni Sadar Magistrate Court, naming 28 individuals and accusing an additional 100-150 unidentified persons.

The other accused include then-Feni Additional SP (DSB) Aminul Islam, Feni Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Rashed Khan Chowdhury, former Chairman of Feni Sadar Upazila Parishad and Awami League leader Shushen Chandra Shil, Sadar Upazila Awami League President Karim Ullah B Com, Parshuram Upazila Awami League Secretary and former Mayor Nizam Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury Sajel, and several others, including former chairpersons, local leaders, and councilors.

According to the case details, the incident occurred on October 31, 2017, when Khaleda Zia was returning to Dhaka from Cox's Bazar after visiting Rohingya camps.

At the Mahipal area of Feni Sadar on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway, her motorcade came under attack.

Several vehicles were vandalized, and attackers reportedly detonated bombs with the intention of killing her, blocking traffic in the process.

Additionally, a bus from Jamuna Transport and another from Chauddagram Transport were set on fire, causing damages worth approximately Tk6 million.

To mislead the investigation, the complainant Abul Kashem Milon and others, including drivers Abdul Malek, Faruk, Hedayet Ullah, and Harunur Rashid, were arrested at the time.

The complainant’s lawyer, Saiful Islam, said: "The court has instructed the PBI to submit a report after an investigation conducted by an officer of SP rank within 45 days."

Abul Kashem Milon, who filed the case, has since faced threats and mental distress.

He plans to hold a press conference to seek public support and media attention on the matter.