Courtroom chaos erupts over former MP Momtaz's remand order

The court appearance of popular singer and former Manikganj-2 MP Momtaz Begum has descended into disorder as a group of lawyers protested the court’s decision to grant her a four-day police remand—short of the seven days prosecutors requested.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana approved the remand on Tuesday after police brought Momtaz to court in connection with the killing of hawker Md Sagar during the July Uprising in Dhaka’s Mirpur last year.

Sub-Inspector Monirul Islam, the investigating officer from Mirpur Model Police Station, presented Momtaz and sought a seven-day remand. But after hearing arguments, the magistrate approved only four days—prompting an outburst from several lawyers in the courtroom.

As Momtaz entered, the room filled with onlookers.

Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi urged lawyers to maintain order and asked journalists to refrain from speaking or taking photos.

He made pointed remarks about Momtaz’s past as a parliamentarian.

“The people of Singair in Manikganj are humble and polite. Their votes were stolen. In a parliament session, where millions are spent per minute, she sang in praise of Sheikh Hasina. She couldn’t speak in parliament because she had no formal education.”

The court then asked to hear from the accused, but Momtaz appeared without legal representation.

An officer from the court’s general registration branch appointed lawyer Rezaul Karim based on her submitted documents. After signing a power of attorney, she accepted Karim as her counsel.

Once the court granted the four-day remand, several lawyers erupted in protest, demanding the full seven days.

The situation escalated as they blocked the courtroom exit and insisted Momtaz not be allowed to use the elevator to leave the building.

Police attempted to keep Momtaz in the dock until tensions eased, but the protest intensified. The court was forced to order the lawyers out of the room.

Momtaz remained inside for around 21 minutes until additional security arrived and escorted her downstairs using the elevator.

Lawyers continued their demonstration at the court building’s lower level as Momtaz was transferred to jail.

ARREST AND CHARGES

Momtaz was apprehended on Monday night in Dhanmondi by Dhaka Metropolitan Police, according to Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman. She was formally arrested in connection with the murder of hawker Sagar.

According to the case details, Sagar was among the demonstrators at the Mirpur-10 roundabout on July 19 during the mass anti-government protests. Around 4:30pm, unidentified individuals allegedly opened fire on the crowd. Sagar was shot in the chest and later found dead at a private hospital by his mother, Beauty Akhtar, at 3am the next day.

On Nov 17, Beauty filed a case at Mirpur Model Police Station naming Sheikh Hasina, 242 others, and 250–400 unidentified suspects. Momtaz is listed as Suspect No. 49.

She has also been named in multiple cases filed in Manikganj following the fall of the Awami League government in August.

A three-time MP elected on the Awami League’s boat symbol, Momtaz lost her seat in the 12th parliamentary election to an independent candidate from within the same party.

Police have not yet clarified the exact charges against her in connection to the deaths during the uprising.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of Bangladesh Bank has frozen Momtaz’s bank account as investigations continue.