Salman, Anisul, Menon, Shajahan, Kamal, Dipu Monira stood in a dock for 45 minutes.



**Court Proceedings Begin for Former Ministers and Leaders Amid Mass Uprising Fallout**  

At 9 a.m., the courtroom of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) in Dhaka came alive as the judge stepped in from Khaskamara to preside over a critical hearing. Standing in the dock before him were several high-profile figures: former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's advisor Salman F Rahman, former ministers Anisul Haque, Rashed Khan Menon, Shajahan Khan, State Minister Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Junaid Ahmed Palak, and Deputy Minister Abdullah Al Islam Jacob. Each of them bore handcuffs on their left hands.  

As the session began, a police officer called out, “Mr. Abdullah Al Islam Jacob.” Jacob raised his right hand from the dock. State prosecutors then addressed the court, alleging Jacob’s involvement in the July 20 murder of Shamim Hawlader during an anti-discrimination student movement in Dhaka's Rupnagar area. Prosecutors requested his remand to investigate the case further.  

Jacob’s lawyer opposed the request, arguing there was no evidence linking Jacob to the crime. Taking the floor, Jacob himself declared, *“Honorable Court, I was an MP from Bhola Char Fashion and have never engaged in politics in Dhaka. I’ve never even been to Rupnagar. This is a harassment case. I seek justice.”* After hearing both sides, the court granted a three-day remand for Jacob.  

Next, the court addressed Anisul Haque's case. Prosecutors accused Anisul of involvement in the August 5 killing of Fazlul Karim during the student uprising on Jasimuddin Road in Uttara. They requested his remand for further questioning. Anisul’s lawyer refuted the allegations, claiming his client had no connection to the crime. Despite the defense, the court approved a five-day remand. Anisul, standing visibly dejected, had already been placed on remand for 43 days across seven other cases, with 55 charges filed against him.  

**Conversations in the Dock**  

As the proceedings continued, Rashed Khan Menon, Shajahan Khan, and Anisul Haque were summoned, and their arrests were recorded in connection with a murder case from Mohammadpur Police Station. Shortly after, former Education Minister Dipu Moni was brought into the courtroom under heavy police escort. As she stood in the dock, Salman F Rahman greeted her with a smile, and the two shared a brief conversation lasting two to three minutes before Dipu Moni was officially shown arrested in a murder case from Paltan Police Station. Junaid Ahmed, Menon, and Anisul also exchanged words with Dipu Moni before the court adjourned.  

**Mass Uprising Fallout**  

These courtroom dramas are a direct consequence of the August 5 mass uprising that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. Many of her allies, including Salman and Anisul, were arrested shortly after the upheaval. On August 13, the two were brought to court amidst public outrage, with eggs being thrown at them. Similar treatment befell Dipu Moni and other leaders.  

Since the uprising, the legal crackdown has been relentless. Court sessions begin as early as 7 a.m., with high-profile detainees transported from prison under tight security. At least 90 individuals from various professions—former ministers, bureaucrats, Awami League leaders, and journalists—have been detained, and 253 cases filed against Sheikh Hasina herself. Salman faces 48 charges, Rashed Khan Menon 22, Junaid Ahmed 47, and Dipu Moni 20.  

The judge concluded the morning's proceedings after 45 minutes, leaving the courtroom as the legal battles against the former regime’s key figures continue to unfold.