The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) finally arrested Saiful Islam Duke, nephew of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, for his alleged involvement in the August 21 grenade attack.
Duke is accused of helping militant leader Moulana Mohammad Tajuddin, who supplied grenades for the attack, flee the country at the directives of the high command of then Prime Minister's Office.
The law enforcers showed former naval officer Duke, who was also the personal secretary to former premier Khaleda Zia, arrested after he was summoned to CID's Malibagh office for the second time Wednesday evening.
Earlier on Tuesday, he was first asked to show up at the CID office.
The investigators say some of the top tier leaders of BNP and officials of the then PMO were also aware of Tajuddin's departure.
Fugitive Tajuddin is leader of Pakistan-based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and also brother of BNP's former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu, who is also detained in connection with the grenade attack case.
CID Special Superintendent Abdul Kahar Akand, who is investigating the case and arrested Duke, told The Daily Star yesterday, "We have arrested Duke on specific charges against him in connection with the August 21 attack."
"We have specific information that Duke was involved in Tajuddin's departure as well," said Akand, adding, "Besides, he maintained regular communications with those who are still fugitives and those who are arrested including former state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu."
CID sources say the confessional statements of some other detained accused also support Duke's role.
The sources say after further probe the investigators became sure of Duke's involvement following information extracted from Maj Gen (retd) Sadiq Hasan Rumi, former director general (DG) of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Maj Gen (retd) ATM Amin, former DG of Ansar-VDP, and DGFI director during the carnage and some other intelligence officials.
Besides, detained Harkat-ul-Jihad al Islami (Huji) founder Abdus Salam in his confessional statement also mentioned it.
The CID sources add Tajuddin might have left the country with direct help of some former officials of DGFI and NSI.
Speaking anonymously, a CID official said during interrogation on Tuesday and Wednesday they verified information given by the former DGFI and NSI officials.
Meanwhile, CID officials produced Duke before the Court of Third Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ali Hussain yesterday afternoon seeking seven days' remand.
Duke's lawyer also prayed before the court for his client's bail rejecting the remand prayer.
After hearing both the sides, the court rejected Duke's bail prayer and granted his remand for four days.
Twenty-four leaders and workers were killed and 200 others injured in the grenade attack on an Awami League rally on Bangabandhu Avenue on August 21.
In its forwarding report, the CID officials said the grenade attack was launched aiming to assassinate the then opposition leader and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier, CID framed a charge sheet accusing 22 people. But the court ordered for further investigation to unearth the sources of grenades and other persons involved.
Besides, during the BNP rule, some CID investigators tried to mislead the investigation to save the real culprits behind the grizzly attack. They also staged a drama in this regard making one Joj Miah a scapegoat.
Another case has also been filed against the then CID investigators in connection with misleading the investigation.