3 sent to jail in months-old anti-terrorism case after detention at Dhanmondi 32
The arrested individuals are Md Sakib, student of Government Rupnagar Model School and College in Mirpur, Md Jihadul Islam, student of Hatiya Degree College in Noakhali and Rifat Raihan, student of Rupdhan Bandar Amiria Secondary School in Barishal.
A Dhaka court has ordered three individuals to be sent to jail after they were arrested yesterday (February 15) while attempting to pay tribute at the residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital.
Following a police plea, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jewel Rana passed the order today (February 16).
The trio were shown arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Dhanmondi Police Station nearly two and a half months ago.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The arrested individuals are Md Sakib, student of Government Rupnagar Model School and College in Mirpur, Md Jihadul Islam, student of Hatiya Degree College in Noakhali and Rifat Raihan, student of Rupdhan Bandar Amiria Secondary School in Barishal.
Earlier, Dhanmondi Police Station Sub-Inspector Iqbal Ahmed Jinnah, the investigation officer of the case, produced the accused before the court and sought an order to keep them in custody.
Defence lawyers Zakir Hossain and Jahangir Alam moved bail petitions on behalf of the accused, while the state opposed the plea.
During the hearing, defence counsel argued that the three had gone to Dhanmondi 32 yesterday in response to a call from Dhaka University teacher Jamal Uddin to pay tribute.
They argued that the accused were not acting as members of any political organisation.
"Despite that, police have shown them arrested in a three-month-old case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. We have informed the court that they are all still minors. This is a false case. The accused have no connection with it," the lawyers submitted while seeking bail.
According to the remand prayer, the accused were arrested yesterday at around 5:30pm from Dhanmondi 32 under Dhanmondi Police Station.
Police said the accused were initially interrogated regarding the case.
Preliminary investigation allegedly identified them as members of the banned organisation Bangladesh Chhatra League.
It was also claimed that they were present at the scene on the date and time of the incident and participated in a procession.
Police argued that they should remain in custody until the investigation is completed.
According to the case statement, leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League held a procession against the interim government on road 28 in Dhanmondi on 30 November last year.
Police arrived shortly after, detained two people and others fled. The next day, Sub-Inspector Md Al Helal of Dhanmondi Police Station filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
