Jamaat Leader Akhtaruzzaman Throws Helmet to Express Resentment

A Dhaka court on Sunday placed Jamaat-e-Islami leader Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman on a one-day remand in a case filed over creating chaos and obstructing government officials from discharging their duties at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport over a luggage and trolley shortage. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Albiruni Meer passed the order following a hearing, confirmed Sub-Inspector Abu Bakar Siddique of the court’s prosecution department.

Earlier, Investigating Officer Sub-Inspector Majedul Islam of Airport Police Station produced the accused before the court and sought a five-day remand. According to the remand prayer, the accused intentionally obstructed public servants from performing their duties, issued threats, and physically assaulted staff at a sensitive location like the international airport, thereby disrupting security, order, and normal passenger movements. The investigation officer argued that extensive custodial interrogation was required to ascertain whether any vested interest group instigated the incident to tarnish the nation’s image.

Around 12:30 PM, Mr. Akhtaruzzaman was brought to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court under tight police security and kept in a holding cell on the ground floor of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court building.
Speaking to reporters through the prison van grill, he said, “Our struggle cannot be suppressed through oppression. We will continue to fight for the people of Bangladesh, especially for expatriates, Insha-Allah. This state mismanagements cannot continue, and no government can survive in such a state. To steer the country on the right path and establish citizens’ rights, Jamaat-e-Islami will continue its movement.”

Helmet Thrown in Protest: A police officer subsequently entered the prison van to place handcuffs and a helmet on him. Mr. Akhtaruzzaman initially resisted. As soon as he was escorted out of the van wearing the helmet, he flung it away, shouting, “Why should I wear a helmet? I refuse to follow unlawful government orders.”
He was taken to the courtroom without a helmet while chanting slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Bangladesh Zindabad.”

Media Barred From Courtroom: Meanwhile, the prosecution department barred journalists from entering the courtroom during the hearing. Police officials present declined to comment on the restriction. Following the hour-long hearing, defense counsel Abdul Razzaq emerged and informed reporters that a one-day remand had been granted.
As he was escorted back down from the 8th floor under heavy security, Mr. Akhtaruzzaman again shouted, “They forcibly handcuffed me behind my back and put a helmet on me. I refused it. I will continue to protest against injustice in this country regardless of sentence lengths.”
Later, at a press briefing, Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor (PP) Omar Farooq Farooqui defended the remand prayer.

He stated that when the accused claimed he was merely protesting a specific incident, the court noted that while protesting is a right, the manner of protest must be restrained and non-violent.
The PP mentioned that Mr. Akhtaruzzaman responded aggressively toward the bench and failed to maintain courtroom decorum throughout the proceedings.

According to the PP, the accused exhibited hostility upon arrival, demanding that police officers and others present leave the room, while addressing hostile remarks to both the court and prosecution.

In contrast, defense lawyer Abdul Razzaq criticized the restriction on journalists and lawyers, calling the media embargo condemnable and requesting administrative intervention to prevent future occurrences.
He questioned the unusual speed of the hearing and the early arrival of the prosecution team on a holiday weekend, when hearings typically take place later in the afternoon.

Maintaining that the case was politically motivated and bailable, Mr. Razzaq noted that his client presented a cogent statement that journalists should have been allowed to hear firsthand.
Meanwhile, Jamaat activists gathered outside the CMM Court gates, chanting slogans and following the prison van as Mr. Akhtaruzzaman was transported back to custody.

Mr. Akhtaruzzaman was arrested on October 2 from his residence in Dhaka Cantonment’s Dhamalkot area. The arrest stemmed from an incident on October 1 involving a 34-member Jamaat delegation arriving from Madinah at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

According to the case statement, heavy passenger arrivals caused temporary luggage and trolley shortages at the airport, leading to long queues. Unrest escalated when protocol assistants reportedly broke line rules and delays occurred in receiving baggage and Zamzam water supplies.

Dhaka-5 MP Mohammad Kamal Hossain summoned Airport Executive Director Group Captain S M Rageeb Samad to address the situation. Upon his arrival, Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman allegedly approached him aggressively, using profane and derogatory language.

Despite explanations from the Executive Director regarding passenger volume, Akhtaruzzaman reportedly threatened him verbally and demanded his removal from the terminal.

To prevent escalation, MP Kamal Hossain escorted the Executive Director to safety. Mr. Akhtaruzzaman then allegedly issued broader threats to staff and made derogatory remarks regarding the Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister.

Accompanying protocol assistants began recording videos of the altercations, threatening to publish them on social media platforms, further compromising airport security.

When Security Supervisor Warrant Officer Mohammad Kamal Uddin asked them to stop recording in a restricted KPI (Key Point Installation) zone, Mr. Akhtaruzzaman allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted him.
He also reportedly misbehaved with a Biman Bangladesh Airlines representative and damaged property by throwing Zamzam water containers from passenger trolleys.

Following the incident, Airport Security Officer Md. Shahriar Alam Sojib filed a case at Airport Police Station citing obstruction of public duties, physical assault, and threats in a restricted security zone.