Dilip Agarwala aided Hasina in establishing fascist rule: Prosecution

Diamond World owner Dilip Kumar Agarwala helped ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina establish a fascist regime using money allegedly laundered through illegal means, the prosecution told a Dhaka court on Wednesday while seeking his remand in an attempted murder case linked to the July uprising.

On the day, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque placed Dilip on a four-day remand after a hearing in the case filed with Uttara West Police Station.

During the hearing, the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Md Sumon Mia of the police station, filed two separate petitions seeking an order to show Dilip arrested in the case and permission to interrogate him on remand.

State prosecutors Shamsuddoha Sumon, Harun-or-Rashid and Golam Mortuza argued in support of the petitions.

They told the court that Dilip had allegedly used laundered money to help Hasina establish a fascist regime.

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Diamond World MD Dilip placed on 4-day remand in attempted murder case

He had contested the parliamentary election from the Chuadanga-1 constituency and was a member of the central Awami League's sub-committee on industries and commerce, they said.

The prosecution also said the victim was shot in the Uttara West area during the July uprising and that Dilip needed to be interrogated to ensure a proper investigation. 

It alleged that he had been involved in the incident and had provided financial support.

On the other hand, defence lawyers Anwarul Kabir, Abdul Al Mansur Ripon and others sought bail, arguing that the accused was suffering from physical ailments, including cardiac problems.

They said he had been arrested from a puja mandap and sought bail on humanitarian grounds, citing religious considerations and the interests of justice.

The defence also argued that investigations into the July uprising-related killing cases were being conducted nearly a year after the incidents. 

They said Dilip had been abroad during the relevant period but had not absconded after securing bail in several other cases and had continued to stay in the country.

The prosecution further alleged that Dilip was involved in gold and diamond smuggling. It argued that his custody was necessary for a proper investigation and that he should remain in jail in connection with a money laundering case.

According to the case statement, Abul Jabbar was shot in front of BNS Centre on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway under Uttara West Police Station on 5 August 2024. He received hospital treatment until 26 September that year.

After recovering, Jabbar filed the attempted murder case with Uttara West Police Station on 27 March 2025. 

The case named 50 people, including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as defendants, and accused another 100 to 150 unidentified individuals.