A Dhaka court on Saturday placed 24 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations on 10-day remand in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over an alleged anti-government procession in the capital’s Gulshan area.
Police alleged that crude bombs were thrown and explosions took place during the procession.
Another accused, Arafat, was sent to jail after his lawyers claimed that he was a minor.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque passed the orders after a hearing on Saturday evening.
Prosecution Department Sub-Inspector Moktar Hossain confirmed the matter. The defence lawyers sought bail for the accused and opposed the remand plea, while the prosecution argued in favour of custodial interrogation.
After hearing both sides, the court granted 10 days’ remand for each of the 24 accused.
The accused sent to remand are Md Rahim, Md Jahangir Hossain, Md Alamgir Hossain, Sabbir Hossain, Kamrul Hasan, Md Munna Mia, Samin Yasar (Safayat), Md Russell, HM Zakaria Rahman, Minhajul Islam Fahad, Sohel Ahmed, Md Sohorab, Md Hazrat Ali, Md Aktarul Islam Masud, Chan Mia, Md Habib Sikdar, Md Zahir Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Kabir Bhandari, Babul Gop, Md Farid Ahmed, Indranil Deb Sharma, Md Nazrul Islam and Masud Hasan Shamim.
Police produced 25 arrested people before the court. Gulshan Police Station Sub-Inspector Ruhul Amin, who is also investigating the case, sought 10-day remand for 24 of them.
In the remand petition, police said the accused needed to be questioned to ensure a proper investigation and uncover the details of the incident.
They also said interrogation was necessary to identify and arrest the alleged masterminds, gather information about those who allegedly financed or conspired in the incident, locate other suspects and arrest those who are absconding.
Arafat was not placed on remand after his lawyers claimed that he was a minor. The court fixed Sunday for submission of documents supporting the claim and further hearing. Until then, he was ordered to remain in jail.
According to the case statement, leaders and activists of various affiliated organisations of the Awami League, whose political activities are currently banned, along with activists of the banned Chhatra League, gathered in the Gulshan Police Station area around 11:45am on 11 September.
The complaint alleges that they assembled with the intention of undermining the image of the elected government, pursuing an anti-government agenda and creating difficulties for the government.
They allegedly chanted slogans against the government and the state and held the gathering with the aim of creating disorder.
When police attempted to disperse them, the protesters allegedly threw cocktails
