A Dhaka court on Wednesday sent Natun Dhara Bangladesh (NDB) Chairman Momin Mehedi and Senior Vice-Chairman Shanta Farzana and four others to jail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over an alleged attack on a July uprising activist.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Kamal Uddin passed the order after investigation officer Sub-Inspector Monirul Islam of Shahbagh Police Station sought the court’s order.
Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki confirmed the matter. The case was filed over allegations that the accused attacked and seriously injured Rashtra Sanglap Forum (SDF) Member Secretary and a July activist Al Nur Mohammad Ayas along with several others.
The four other accused sent to jail after their bail petitions were rejected are NDB Vice Chairman Nurjahan Neera, 40, Joint Secretary General Moniruzzaman, 47, Organising Secretary Aftab Mondol, 40, and Hari Sarker, 36.
The court rejected bail petitions filed by lawyers for the four accused. However, the bail hearing for Shanta Farzana and her husband could not be held as several lawyers appeared on their behalf.
The matter will be heard later after a decision by the Dhaka Bar Association, according to court officials.
The accused were produced before the court in the afternoon but were not taken to the dock as police did not seek remand.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bablu Sardar filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station, naming six people and accusing 50 to 60 unidentified individuals.
According to the first information report (FIR), the accused allegedly entered Dhaka Medical College Hospital unlawfully earlier and made remarks against the July movement, including describing it as a “militant movement”.
The complaint also alleged that they made derogatory comments about July martyr Abu Sayeed.
The FIR further alleged that Shanta Farzana and Momen Mehedi had made statements in support of the Awami League, claimed Sheikh Hasina was the legitimate prime minister, and carried out anti-government campaigns through social media and Telegram groups.
The complaint stated that the incident took place around 7pm on 4 August in front of the National Press Club, where the accused allegedly brought out a procession chanting “anti-state slogans”.
The FIR alleged that when SDAF leader Al Nur Mohammad Ayas and members of July martyr families protested, the accused attacked them with sharp weapons, sticks, iron pipes and chairs.
It further alleged that Shanta Farzana struck Ayas on the head, face and hands with an iron pipe, causing serious injuries. Several other July activists, including Mohsin, Ashraful and Tawhid, were also injured in the incident, according to the complaint.
The complainant Bablu Sardar also claimed he was injured in the attack. Local people later rescued Ayas and admitted him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
