Tension erupted at the court premises on Tuesday afternoon as Hasanul Haq Inu, President of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad), and Rashed Khan Menon, President of the Workers Party of Bangladesh, were brought to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court under tight security. The two political leaders were transported in two microbuses, arriving after 4 PM, amidst a crowd of at least 100 BNP-Jamaat supporter lawyers who had gathered in advance, chanting slogans demanding their punishment.
As the vehicles carrying Inu and Menon entered the court premises, eggs were thrown at them. The leaders were then taken to the holding cell within the court complex. An hour later, a large number of police officers escorted Hasanul Haq Inu out of the holding cell, followed by Rashed Khan Menon. Both leaders were provided with police helmets and bulletproof jackets for their safety.
When they were brought to the main gate of the court, more eggs were thrown at them, and one person even threw a shoe. As they were escorted up the stairs to the courtroom on the second floor, some lawyers attempted to physically assault them.
Inside the courtroom, Inu and Menon were placed in the dock, appearing somber. BNP-supporting lawyers present in the courtroom continued chanting slogans, demanding their punishment, creating a chaotic atmosphere. The judge entered the courtroom amidst the uproar.
The prosecution argued for the remand of Hasanul Haq Inu and Rashed Khan Menon in connection with the murder cases against them. The situation escalated as BNP-supporting lawyers intensified their protests. Omar Faruk Faruki, a leader of the Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum, urged his fellow lawyers to calm down. Once the courtroom was somewhat under control, Faruki presented arguments supporting the remand, referencing the past political activities of the two leaders. He labeled Inu and Menon as accomplices of the Sheikh Hasina government, accusing them of involvement in killings during the quota reform movement. The mention of their meeting with Sheikh Hasina at the Ganabhaban further agitated the BNP-supporting lawyers, leading to verbal abuse directed at the two leaders.
At one point, the situation deteriorated to the extent that a scuffle broke out among the BNP-Jamaat supporting lawyers themselves. The chaotic environment continued for about 45 minutes, prompting the judge to instruct that the defendants be taken back to the holding cell without further disruption.
Afterward, the court granted a seven-day remand for Hasanul Haq Inu in the murder case of New Market businessman Abdul Wadud, and a six-day remand for Rashed Khan Menon in the Adabar police station case related to the murder of garment worker Rubel. Throughout the proceedings, lawyers continued to chant slogans demanding their punishment.
Senior lawyer Omar Faruk Faruki once again addressed the lawyers, urging them not to create a disorderly environment. Hasanul Haq Inu and Rashed Khan Menon were then taken from the courtroom to the corridor, where some lawyers attempted to assault them. The tension persisted as the two leaders were escorted to the main entrance of the court, with some individuals still trying to attack them. They were quickly taken back to the holding cell.
Outside the main entrance of the court, a group of people continued to chant slogans demanding punishment for Hasanul Haq Inu and Rashed Khan Menon. Later, they were transported from the court premises in a prison van.