Shaukat Mahmood sent to jail, remand hearing Thursday
He was arrested by the Detective Branch yesterday (7 December) in the capital's Malibagh area
A Dhaka court has sent to jail Shaukat Mahmood, former president of the National Press Club and secretary general of Janata Party Bangladesh, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over allegations of conspiring with a foreign intelligence agency to overthrow the government.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana issued the order this afternoon (8 December) after a hearing, said DMP Prosecution Division's Deputy Police Commissioner Mia Mohammad Ashis Bin Hasan.
Earlier, DB Inspector Md Akhtar Morshed, the investigation officer in the case, produced Shaukat before the court and sought a 10-day remand.
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However, due to the unavailability of the case's main documents, the court ordered him to be sent to jail and set Thursday (11 December) for the remand hearing, Ashis said.
According to the remand petition, Shaukat Mahmood and several unidentified individuals allegedly acted in collusion with Enayet Karim Chowdhury. The petition claims they created public fear on different dates with the intention of endangering Bangladesh's integrity, solidarity, public safety, or sovereignty.
It further alleges that they secretly held meetings with political leaders, influential individuals, and members of the business community, planned protests, and instigated activities aimed at damaging government property and toppling the government.
The petition states that interrogation has already produced sufficient evidence of Shaukat's involvement, and that 10 days of custodial interrogation is essential for proper investigation and fair justice.
Shaukat was arrested by the Detective Branch yesterday (7 December) in the capital's Malibagh area.
Arrest linked to earlier case involving US citizen
Bangladeshi-born US citizen Enayet Karim Chowdhury was earlier arrested in a case filed at Ramna Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the interim government.
According to DB Chief Additional Police Commissioner Md Shafiqul, Shaukat was arrested in the same case.
Enayet was arrested on 13 September after being found moving suspiciously in a Prado SUV in the Minto Road area. Unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for his presence, he was detained under Section 54 and later charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Police say Shaukat's arrest stems from developments uncovered during the investigation of that case.
Shaukat Mahmood, a veteran journalist, had long been active in BNP politics and previously served as one of the party's vice chairmen.
