Police have submitted a written explanation to a Dhaka court detailing how former army Major Md Sadikul Haque Sadik could allegedly have been involved in the burning of a private car in Bhatara despite being in jail at the time of the incident.
The explanation came after police sought to show Sadik arrested in the Anti-Terrorism Act case over the burning of a private car in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area on November 11, 2025.
According to the police, Sadik had allegedly organised secret meetings and training sessions for leaders and activists of the Awami League and Chhatra League before his imprisonment.
Investigators claim that the arson was later carried out following his instructions and with his financial support and backing.
Bhatara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mazharul Islam and investigation officer SI Md Chand Ali submitted the written explanation to Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam’s court on Sunday.
Police prosecutor SI Kamal Hossain said the magistrate would pass an order after reviewing the explanation.
Police cite alleged pre-jail activities
According to the police statement, the investigation found that Sadik, while serving in the army, organised secret meetings at a hall on the second floor of KB Convention Hall near Bashundhara Residential Area from 3 to 8 July, 2025.
The meetings, held from 10am to 6pm, were attended by leaders and activists of the Awami League and Chhatra League, police claimed.
The investigators alleged that discussions and training sessions were held to strengthen the organisations, motivate their activists and create instability in the country.
Police further claimed that Sadik acted as the chief trainer and “connector” and arranged several secret training sessions and workshops at locations including Purbachal Sea Shell Resort in Rupganj, a restaurant in Katabon, Mirpur DOHS, Sector 12 in Uttara and his wife Sumaiya Zafrin’s flat at Priyanka City opposite the regional passport office.
Several participants in those meetings were later arrested, while others remained at large, police said.
Investigators also claimed that fugitive activists who attended the meetings were trained and given plans to create instability in the country with the aim of bringing Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh.
Police allege instructions, funding behind arson
Police said the car was allegedly set on fire as part of Sadik’s earlier instructions, funding and backing.
The investigation has found evidence of both his “direct and indirect involvement” in the incident, according to the written explanation.
On 7 August, SI Chand Ali sought an order to show Sadik arrested in the case over the burning of the private car in Bashundhara on 11 November, 2025.
The application said the arson was carried out as part of a “complete shutdown” programme and with the intention of creating instability in the country.
It also claimed that investigators had found Sadik’s direct and indirect involvement in the incident.
Defence questions alleged involvement
Sadik was produced before the court last Monday for a hearing on the police application.
His lawyer, HM Al-Amin, questioned how his client could have been involved in the arson when he was already in jail at the time of the incident.
Following the defence argument, the court directed the Bhatara police OC and investigation officer to submit a written explanation. The officers submitted it on Sunday.
What the case says
According to the first information report, a man named Monir Hossain parked his private car in front of Bitumin Gate in Bhatara on the night of 11 November, 2025, and went home.
Police and fire service personnel later went to the scene after receiving information that the vehicle had caught fire and brought the blaze under control.
The following day, Monir Hossain learned through newspapers and social media that the Awami League and its affiliated organisations had announced a “complete shutdown” for 13 November.
He subsequently filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Bhatara Police Station, accusing Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders and activists of setting the vehicle on fire.
The case did not name any individual accused and instead listed 20 to 25 unidentified people.
Sadik has been in custody since 2024
Sadikul Haque Sadik, who was dismissed from the army, was sentenced to three months in prison by a military court on 29 October, 2024. He was subsequently sent to jail.
He was later shown arrested in another case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Bhatara Police Station and has remained in custody since then.
