Former MP Mohammad Haji Salim sparked a minor scene at Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Monday when he brought in a newspaper clipping from jail, leading to a brief verbal altercation with police.
Salim, who has been in custody since his arrest on September 2, 2024, appeared in court for a hearing related to a case filed with Shahbagh Police Station. While standing in the dock, he handed his lawyer, Shree Pran Nath, a newspaper clipping about a ship tender notice from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).
Police officers attempted to intervene, but Salim raised his voice, challenging the officer’s interference. According to his lawyer, Salim, who has division status in jail, regularly receives newspapers and was interested in the tender notice because he owns vessels.
During the hearing, Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki represented the state, and the court formally recorded Salim’s arrest in the case. As Salim was being taken from the courtroom to the detention area, another brief verbal clash with police ensued before he eventually calmed down and was returned to jail.
Salim, a prominent political figure, has been under interrogation in several cases since his arrest last year.