New Gini Properties attack: Jamaat MP’s son-in-law, another granted bail

A Dhaka court has granted bail to Mizanur Rahman, son-in-law of Jamaat-e-Islami MP Abdul Gafur, and Bikas Chandra Shah in a case over an alleged attack, vandalism and looting at the New Gini Properties housing project in the capital.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque passed the order today (26 October), following a hearing in which lawyers for the accused sought bail and the complainant’s lawyers opposed the applications.

Sub Inspector (SI) Marufuzzaman of the prosecution division confirmed the bail orders.

In the same case, Major General (retd) Golam Mahiuddin Chowdhury has granted bail on 4 October, Shahinuzzaman on 18 October and Shah Alam Anik on 19 October. Three other accused – Mamun, Aslam and Munna – remain in jail.

According to the case statement, around 50 people entered the premises of New Gini Properties Ltd at ECB Chattar in South Manikdi, under Cantonment Police Station, on 26 September.

The attackers allegedly fired around 50 rounds of ammunition indiscriminately and assaulted people with machetes, knives and sticks. Several people, including site engineer Md Parvez, sustained serious injuries.

They also allegedly looted cash, laptops, computers, BRB cables, cameras and professional media equipment from the project site, as well as vandalising vehicles.

The complaint estimates the company’s losses at around Tk1.42 crore, while the value of the stolen goods is put at Tk1.50 crore.

The complaint alleges that the attackers unlawfully entered, vandalised and looted Brown Fish studio, owned by content creator Salman Muqtadir.

When Cantonment police arrived, the attackers allegedly fired at them. Police responded with five shotgun rounds in self-defence and to bring the situation under control, according to the case statement.

Two accused named in the first information report were arrested at the scene, while another was arrested during a subsequent operation. Locally made weapons and spent ammunition cartridges were recovered from the arrestees, the complaint said.

Saiful Islam Bhuiyan, an official of the housing project, filed the case with Cantonment Police Station. The complaint names 13 people as accused and includes another 150–200 unidentified individuals.