Ex-MP Nobi Newaz shown arrested in July Uprising murder case

A Dhaka court today (29 June) showed former Jhenaidah-3 lawmaker Nobi Newaz arrested in a case filed over the killing of garment worker Rubel during the 2024 July Uprising in the capital's Adabor area.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehesanul Islam passed the order following a petition submitted by the police.

Earlier, the investigation officer, Detective Branch Inspector Mohammad Tipu Sultan of Tejgaon Division, produced the accused before the court and sought the order.

The information was confirmed by Sub-Inspector Md Mizanur Rahman of the prosecution division.

Nobi Newaz was produced from jail, after which the court ordered him shown arrested and sent back to prison.

Defence lawyer Shamsur Rahman Badal said he had already secured High Court bail in another case and alleged police were politically harassing him by showing him arrested in a new case before his release.

The defence said Nobi Newaz was not named in the FIR and urged the court not to show him arrested, citing his age and poor health.

According to the case statement, Rubel and hundreds of students and civilians joined a protest procession in Adabor's Ring Road on 5 August 2024, when police and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies allegedly opened fire on the march.

Rubel was shot and later declared dead at a nearby hospital. His father, Rafiqul Islam, filed the case with Adabor Police Station on 22 August 2024.

Nobi Newaz was arrested by the Detective Branch on 11 April and has remained in jail since.