52 sent to jail in anti-terrorism case over 15 Aug sabotage plan
Two juveniles sent to correctional centre; police say the detainees were planning sabotage and terrorist activities.
A Dhaka court today (14 August) sent 52 people to jail and two juveniles to a correctional centre in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over an alleged plan to carry out sabotage and "terrorist activities" in the capital's Bashundhara Residential Area ahead of 15 August.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam passed the order following a police petition seeking their detention, said Kamal Hossain, a sub-inspector of the Dhaka Metropolitan Prosecution Division.
The two juveniles, identified as Ishan and Hasib, were sent to the Tongi Juvenile Development Centre in Gazipur.
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The accused were not produced in the courtroom today, and no bail petitions were filed on their behalf.
Earlier, the investigating officer, Bhatara Police Station Sub-Inspector Hafizur Rahman, sought their detention until the investigation is completed, saying preliminary questioning and the investigation had yielded information and evidence related to the allegations.
According to the petition, police raided a second-floor flat on Road 28 in M Block of Bashundhara Residential Area under Vatara Police Station last night.
Several people fled after sensing the presence of police, while 52 people were detained.
Police claimed the detainees were affiliated with the Awami League -- whose political activities are banned -- and its affiliated organisations, including the Jubo League, Jubo Mohila League and the banned Chhatra League.
According to police, they had gathered to plan sabotage and terrorist activities around programmes marking 15 August.
Police said they seized two iPhones, a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and three banners during the raid.
The banners referred to plans for a discussion meeting and milad mahfil marking 15 August, while some carried photographs of leaders and activists of the organisations, police said.
According to the case documents, the accused chanted anti-government slogans and planned to create instability in the country through political programmes.
They were also accused of aiding sabotage and terrorist activities, conspiracy and attempting to commit offences.
The application said the accused might need to be questioned further and could go into hiding if released on bail.
