A Dhaka court on Tuesday placed 13 out of 14 people arrested in the capital’s Banani area on a three-day remand each in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. They were allegedly preparing for a procession to mark the homecoming day of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jewel Rana passed the order after the investigating officer, Banani Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Saiful Islam, produced the accused before the court with a seven-day remand prayer. The court, however, ordered another accused, Md Taimur Saif, to be sent to jail without remand in consideration of his age.
During the hearing, state lawyer Shamsuddoha Suman argued in favour of the remand. Defence lawyers, seeking bail and the cancellation of the remand prayer, told the court that their clients were merely watching a World Cup match on the day of the incident and held no positions in any political organisation.
The remanded accused are Motaher Hossain Shuvo, 30, Maruful Islam, 24, Tanveer Ahmed Sany, 24, Waliullah Faruk Ador, 18, Md Samir Chowdhury Limon, 18, Md Imon Ali Khan, 19, Md Yasin Arafat Abir, 21, Md Sifat Rahman, 19, Yamin Arafat Nihad, 20, Md Najmul Sarkar, 19, Md Abir Hossain, 21, Touquir Tareq Ayaz, 22, and Md Habibur Rahman, 47.
According to the case proceedings, the accused had illegally gathered on the road opposite Navy Headquarters on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway at approximately 4:10am on 16 May. One individual was arrested at the scene, and following the investigation of that incident, these 13 individuals were arrested on 13 June.
The prosecution alleges that the arrestees are active members of a banned organisation. They were reportedly preparing for a procession for Sheikh Hasina’s homecoming day and were distributing leaflets and posters containing anti-government slogans.
The charges further state that they conspired to overthrow the government by causing damage to public and private property.
During the drive, police seized 24 PVC posters featuring images of Sheikh Hasina and other leaders, a TVS RTR motorcycle, and mobile phones.
In the remand prayer, the investigating officer said the accused admitted their involvement during primary interrogation. He added that custodial interrogation is essential to uncover the “actual mystery” of the case, identify financiers and masterminds, and arrest 10 to 15 other unidentified fugitives.
