A Dhaka court on Tuesday issued a warrant for the arrest of four people, including journalist Shafik Rehman, in a case filed for plotting to ‘abduct and kill’ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son and her ICT adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sharafuzzaman Ansari passed the order after accepting the charge-sheet in the case, reports the UNB.

The three others who faced the arrest warrant are Vice-president of BNP’s cultural wingJatiyatabadiSamajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) Mohammad Ullah Mamun, his son RizveAhmed Caesar and Bangladeshi expatriate trader living in the United States Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan.

Joynul Abedin Mejbah, lawyer of Shafik Rehman who had been on bail in the case, sought time for the journalist, saying he is now accompanying his cancer-affected wife in London.

However, the court rejected the time petition and issued the arrest warrant.

Earlier on February 22 last, police submitted the charge-sheet against five people, including Shafik Rehman and the Daily Amar Desh acting Editor Mahmudur Rahman, before the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

Shafik Rehman, former Editor of the Daily Jaijai Din, was shown arrested in a criminal conspiracy case filed with Paltan Police Station on August 3, 2015 in connection with attempting to abduct and kill Joy.

According to the case statement, Mamun along with some top leaders of BNP and its allies met at different places in Bangladesh, including Jasas office, and the US before September 2012 and conspired to abduct and kill Joy.