A Dhaka court on Monday ordered journalist Shawkat Mahmud, former president of the National Press Club and secretary general of Janata Party Bangladesh, to be shown arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Shahbagh Police Station.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana passed the order on Monday. The application to show him arrested was moved by Police Inspector Md Akter Morshed.
According to the case documents, an organisation named “Mancha 71” emerged on 5 August, 2025. Following its formation, a roundtable discussion was organised at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium at 10am on 28 August that year.
The prosecution alleged that a review of the activities of those present at the venue indicated they were engaged in a conspiracy and delivered provocative speeches with the intent to destabilise the country and overthrow the interim government.
The event reportedly involved 16 named accused and 70 to 80 unidentified individuals. Interrogations by the Intelligence Ramna Division revealed that the accused, assembled under the banner of “Mancha 71,” were involved in anti-state activities.
Preliminary investigations have reportedly found evidence of Shawkat Mahmud’s involvement in the aforementioned incidents. It is further alleged that he held propaganda meetings against the interim government alongside his party associates.
Under these circumstances, the prosecution stated that showing Shawkat Mahmud arrested in the case is essential for the sake of fair investigation and justice.
On 7 December last year, Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) arrested Shawkat in front of his residence in Malibagh.
