A Dhaka court on Monday sent former secretary Abu Alam Md Shahid Khan to jail hours after his arrest in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act on charges of conspiring to overthrow the interim government.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Saifuzzaman passed the order on Monday following a petition filed by investigating officer (IO) of the case, SI Toufiq Hasan of Shahbagh Police Station.
Police produced Shahid Khan before the court seeking his detention in jail until the investigation into the case is completed. Although a defense lawyer was present during the hearing, no bail petition was submitted on his behalf.
Earlier, around 2:30am on Monday, the Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested Khan from the city’s Eskaton area in connection with the case.
The case stems from a speech made by former minister Abdul Latif Siddique during a roundtable discussion held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity under the banner of “Manch 71.”
During the event, Siddique allegedly delivered remarks that called for toppling the current administration through armed resistance—remarks police have deemed to be conspiratorial in nature.
The speech reportedly provoked a strong reaction from attendees, who began chanting slogans such as “Awami Fascist” in protest.
In response, police filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station on August 29, naming Abdul Latif Siddique and 16 others, along with 70 to 80 unidentified individuals. The charges include incitement to unrest and plotting to destabilize the state.
Former secretary Abu Alam was present at the programme but could not be arrested then. After being arrested as a suspect, he was produced in court on Monday and subsequently was sent to jail.
