Sirajganj: A Sirajganj court on Wednesday placed two people, arrested in connection with the murder of journalist Abdul Hakim Shimul, on a five-day custody each for interrogation.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Hasibul Haque issued the order after a hearing on the case in the morning.

The two accused are Habibul Haque Mintu, brother of Shahjadpur municipality mayor Halimul Haque Miru, the prime accused in the murder case, and his driver Shahin.

On 13 February, investigation officer of the case Monirul Islam, inspector of Shahjadpur Police Station, filed a petition seeking a seven-day remand for them.

Earlier, police arrested driver Shahin Alam, in his twenties, resident of Nalua village of the upazila, from Chala bus stand in Belkuchi upazila on 7 February, while Mintu on 3 February  in connection with the killing of Shimul.

The same court on 13 February placed six people, including Miru, the prime accused in the killing case, on a 5-day custody each.

Police arrested Miru, the suspended district Awami League organising secretary, on 5 February from the capital.

Abdul Hakim Shimul, Shahjadpur upazila correspondent of vernacular daily Dainik Samakal, sustained bullet injuries during a clash between two associate bodies of Awami League in Shahjadpur on 2 February.

Later, he died on the way to Dhaka on 3 February.