Palak seeks half-hour family visits, special meetings with lawyers

Former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak has sought permission to meet his family members for half an hour and hold regular special meetings with his lawyers in jail, citing health concerns and a large number of cases against him.

He made the requests today (26 July) with the court’s permission during a hearing on the framing of charges in a case filed over the killing of truck driver Md Hossain in the Mohammadpur area during the July Uprising.

“I am physically unwell. I have a serious neck injury, and an MRI report shows that two bones have been displaced,” Palak told the court.

He also said he is unable to wear a helmet as advised by doctors because of his condition.

Palak said he currently faces 98 cases and has spent 89 days on remand.

Trials are underway in three cases, while witness testimonies are being recorded in several others, he added.

Under the circumstances, he sought permission to meet his family members for at least half an hour.

He also requested special meetings with his lawyers on two days every fortnight, for three hours each day, to discuss matters related to the cases.

The court did not immediately pass any order on the requests.

Palak’s lawyer Tarikul Islam said the Jail Code allows an accused to meet family members for half an hour every 15 days.

He said Palak seeks the special meetings because the existing arrangement does not provide sufficient time to discuss case-related matters with his lawyers.

According to the case statement, Md Hossain was shot dead in the Chand Udyan area of Mohammadpur on 19 July 2024 during the Students Against Discrimination movement.

A truck driver by profession, he was returning home after leaving his truck in Gabtoli when he was shot in Chand Udyan and died at the scene.

His mother, Rina Begum, filed a murder case at Mohammadpur Police Station on 31 August 2024.