A Dhaka court has placed accused Iman Ullah Mastan on a three-day remand in connection with a case filed over a deadly fire at a gas lighter factory in Keraniganj that left six people dead.
Dhaka Judicial Magistrate Tanvir Ahmed passed the order on Monday following a hearing, confirmed Prosecution Police Sub-Inspector Md Arif.
The fire broke out on Saturday afternoon at ‘Essar Gas Pro Factory’ located in the Ambagan Dibjal Lane area of Kadamtali in Keraniganj, killing six workers. Following the incident, South Keraniganj Police Station Sub-Inspector Jewel Rana filed a case against three individuals.
The other two accused are factory owner Akram Ullah Akram and his son Ahnaf Akif Akram. Police said Iman Ullah, also known as Mastan, is a relative of the factory owners.
After the case was filed, police arrested Iman Ullah (50) from the Kadamtali area of South Keraniganj. Investigation Officer and South Keraniganj Police Station Sub-Inspector Rafiqul Islam sought a 10-day remand on Sunday. However, as the investigation officer failed to appear at the hearing that day, the court sent the accused to jail and fixed Monday for the remand hearing.
During Monday’s hearing, the accused was produced before the court from jail. His lawyer, Rifat Ahmed, opposed the remand and sought bail, arguing that his client had no involvement in the factory’s operations and was suffering from diabetes, kidney complications, and other illnesses. The defense also claimed that the businessman had been implicated in the case to socially harass him.
After hearing both sides, the court granted a three-day remand.
According to the case statement, the accused had allegedly set up the factory illegally in a densely populated area around 8 to 10 years ago and had been operating it with 50 to 60 workers, including women and children. Although authorities sealed the factory multiple times, the accused allegedly continued operations secretly by locking the main gate and running activities inside using muscle power.
