“Everything has an end.” Those four words, spoken quietly through the bars of a police van, hung heavy in the air outside Dhaka’s Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak—once Bangladesh’s youngest state minister and the face of the country’s digital future—was no longer flanked by aides or reporters but by armed guards.
His wrists were bound, his chest shielded by a bulletproof vest, and a dull gray helmet shadowed his face. Yet his tone was calm, almost philosophical, as he was escorted toward the courtroom where he now stands accused of murder.
Inside, he greeted his lawyers with a faint smile. “I’m fine. I’m mentally strong,” he told them softly. “I feel inspired… I’ve adjusted myself [in prison].”
After a year behind bars, Palak appeared composed, even hopeful. Asked by a reporter whether he planned to run in the upcoming national election, he said nothing—just nodded once.
A Familiar Routine of Restraint
The day’s hearing was brief but symbolic. At 11:00 a.m., Palak and three other former Awami League leaders were presented before the magistrate to be shown arrested in a murder case linked to the July 2024 uprising, when massive protests swept the country.
The charge involves the death of Mohammad Shahjahan, a factory worker who was shot during a clash under the Mohakhali flyover. His family says he had joined a demonstration that turned violent when gunfire erupted. Police later registered a murder case naming 97 individuals, including Palak.
At 11:25 a.m., the four men were led back to the court lockup, their chains clinking in rhythm—a sound now common in Dhaka’s court corridors.
“Tell My Family I’m All Right”
Before leaving the courtroom, Palak asked his lawyers to deliver a simple message to his family: “I’m doing well.”
His lawyer, Tarikul Islam, said the former minister remains mentally resilient but deeply troubled by what he called the “inhuman treatment of political detainees.”
“Palak spoke about the death of former industries minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun,” Islam told The Voice. “He believes Humayun died because he was denied medical treatment. He also mentioned former social welfare minister Dipu Moni, who is reportedly in poor health. He said such neglect shouldn’t happen to anyone.”
For relatives of the imprisoned leaders, these moments—brief messages passed through lawyers—are lifelines. Many families have gone months without visits, surviving on rumors and occasional courtroom glimpses.
Lives on Hold
Since the military-backed interim government took power in August 2024, hundreds of Awami League politicians and activists have been arrested under a web of criminal and corruption charges.
Most remain detained without trial. Rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called the arrests “politically selective,” alleging torture, denial of bail, and a breakdown of due process.
The former ministers’ relatives say the system has become less about justice and more about humiliation. “They are treated as if they have no rights,” said a family friend of one detainee, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal. “It’s not just about politics anymore. It’s about their dignity as human beings.”
The Man Behind the Case
Palak, 45, represented Natore-3 in parliament and served as state minister for ICT under Sheikh Hasina’s administration. Known for his articulate public speaking and advocacy of youth empowerment, he once symbolized Bangladesh’s push toward a digital future.
Now, his days begin before sunrise in a narrow cell. He spends time reading and teaching other inmates about technology, according to those familiar with his routine. “He’s trying to stay useful, even in there,” one friend said.
Echoes of a Nation in Uncertainty
The Shahjahan murder case is one among dozens of politically charged trials that have come to define the post-Hasina era. Many defendants say the charges are fabricated; officials of the interim administration insist they are necessary for accountability.
Yet, in courtrooms across Dhaka, the atmosphere tells a more human story—of men once accustomed to power now standing silently behind iron bars, their fates uncertain.
As Palak was led away, his earlier words seemed to resonate with more than personal meaning. “Everything has an end,” he had said—but for many detainees, that end still feels distant.
