Families submit memo to chief justice, demand release of opposition leaders | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Sunday
June 15, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2025
Families submit memo to chief justice, demand release of opposition leaders

Bangladesh

Zia Chowdhury & Joynal Abedin Shishir
28 November, 2023, 12:45 pm
Last modified: 28 November, 2023, 10:16 pm

Related News

  • BNP affiliate leaders led protest blocking advisers’ convoy in Sylhet, Jubo Dal leader expelled
  • Situation feels quite reassuring, says Rizwana regarding Yunus-Tarique meeting
  • Only those who participated in movements in last 16 years will lead BNP: Ctg mayor
  • Jamaat rally attacked allegedly by BNP men in Narayanganj
  • Yunus-Tarique London meeting raises hope, shows democratic direction: Dudu

Families submit memo to chief justice, demand release of opposition leaders

They gathered in front of the National Press Club at around 11am on Tuesday (28 November)

Zia Chowdhury & Joynal Abedin Shishir
28 November, 2023, 12:45 pm
Last modified: 28 November, 2023, 10:16 pm
Families of arrested BNP gathered in front of the National Press Club on 28 November. Photo: TBS
Families of arrested BNP gathered in front of the National Press Club on 28 November. Photo: TBS

Family members of detained leaders and activists of the opposition parties yesterday handed over a memorandum to the Chief Justice, demanding the immediate release of their loved ones and the withdrawal of all "fabricated" cases against them.

Over a hundred members of the families of these leaders and activists earlier formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka to press home their demand.

After a three-hour protest, organised by the BNP, police intervened and prevented them from handing over a memorandum to the Chief Justice.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman told the media that due to police obstruction, a four-member delegation delivered the memorandum to the Chief Justice's office.

The families of arrested BNP gathered in front of the National Press Club on 28 November. Photo: TBS
The families of arrested BNP gathered in front of the National Press Club on 28 November. Photo: TBS

In the memorandum, Mirza Abbas's wife, speaking on behalf of the victims' families, said the current government has adopted harassment and fabricated cases as its primary tool for suppressing the opposition.

The ruling party is arbitrarily employing the state police and various intelligence agencies as partisan instruments in this endeavour. The government and the ruling party have transformed the judiciary into the principal vehicle for executing their misdeeds, it reads.

'Living in constant fear of police'

Omar Saifullah, first-year student at a Dhaka-based private university who took part in the protest, shared his distressing experience.

He mentioned that the police initially came to arrest his uncle, Chatra Dal leader Amanullah Aman on 30 October. However, instead of his uncle, they detained his father, Shahidullah, who has no involvement in any political cases.

Saifullah recounted that the police vandalised their apartment and confiscated two of his mobile phones. Despite visiting various law enforcement offices, including the detective branch headquarters, he was not able to retrieve his phones.

Both of his mobile phones contained crucial documents related to higher studies and university offer letters. Saifullah, who is scheduled for a viva at the US embassy on 31 January of the upcoming year, expressed deep concern about the impact on his future, stating, "My future is at stake now."

Atar Banu, 65, from Kamrangirchar, joined the protest at the national press club in solidarity. She said her son Mohammad Hasem, 40-year-old scrap shop owner, was taken by the police from his shop on 15 November. Despite efforts to secure his release, the judge denied bail, and he was sent to Keraniganj prison.

Atar Banu said her son's only crime was participating in a political procession.

Abdul Hai Bhuiyan, 70, and Abeda Khantun, 60, struggled to comfort their granddaughters, Nurjahan Akter Nuri, 4, and Aklima Akter Borsha, 6. Nuri, separated from her mother who was taken by Kotwali police last Tuesday night, kept asking for her mother.

A family member sits on the road in front of National Press Club with a photograph if his arrested kin. 28 November. Photo: TBS
A family member sits on the road in front of National Press Club with a photograph if his arrested kin. 28 November. Photo: TBS

"Police went after my son Abdul Hamid Bhuyian, who is a ride-sharing driver. Unable to locate him at home, they apprehended his wife – the mother of their children. She was held for three days at the police station and subsequently charged in a case," Abdul Hai Bhuiyan said.

Anita, daughter of Yunus Mridha, joint convenor of Dhaka City South BNP, expressed concern about her family's situation. She said, "My father is suffering from cardiac disease, and my mother, currently undergoing treatment at a Dhaka hospital, fell ill due to his detention. We live in constant fear that the police may break into our home again and apprehend us."

The wife of Habibur Rahman Habi, advisor to BNP Chairperson, said, "The government has turned the entire country into a prison. All efforts seem geared toward staging an election to legitimise the oppression we are currently facing."

Barrister Tasnuva Tabassum Ratri, daughter of arrested BNP leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, shared that her father is battling cancer. "He requires two chemotherapy sessions per week, but the court has denied his bail. He is consistently detained before every election. The uncertainty about how long we must endure this pain is overwhelming," she said.

19,606 detained since 28 October

According to the memorandum submitted to the Chief Justice, since the BNP rally on 28 October in the capital, a staggering 19,606 individuals have been arrested in over 815 cases. Among these cases, 70,508 leaders and activists from the opposition party have been implicated.

During this period, over 8,179 leaders and workers sustained injuries, and tragically, 17 dedicated BNP activists, including a journalist, lost their lives.

Furthermore, nine people have been sentenced to death in 29 cases deemed "false." From 2009 to 2023, over 50 lakh activists and supporters of the BNP and affiliated groups have been accused in a staggering 150,000 cases.

Top News / Politics

BNP / Press club

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • People watch from a bridge as flames from an Israeli attack rise from Sharan Oil depot, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
    Iran says it will stop 'self-defence response' if Israel halts attacks
  • Fire of Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot is seen following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
    Israel and Iran strike at each other as Trump says conflict can be easily ended
  • The moment before Abu Sayeed was shot during a clash between police and protesters in front of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur on Tuesday, 16 July 2024. Screengrab from video
    ICT extends deadline for Abu Sayed murder probe by one month

MOST VIEWED

  • Tour operator Borsha Islam. Photo: Collected
    ‘Tour Expert’ admin Borsha Islam arrested over Bandarban tourist deaths
  • Fighter jet. Photo: AFP
    3 F-35 fighter jets downed, two Israeli pilots in custody, claims Iranian media
  • Infographic: TBS
    Chattogram Port proposes 70%-100% tariff hike
  • Vehicles were seen stuck on the Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway due to a traffic jam stretching 15 kilometres on 14 June 2025. Photo: TBS
    15km traffic jam on Dhaka-Tangail-Jamuna Bridge highway as post-Eid rush continues
  • Ahsan H Mansur. TBS sketch
    BB governor meets global litigation funders to mobilise $100m for tracing stolen assets
  • Burnt out cars and damaged buildings are all that’s left of this street in Ramat Gan Credit: AP
    Iran threatens to strike US, UK, and French bases if they help defend Israel

Related News

  • BNP affiliate leaders led protest blocking advisers’ convoy in Sylhet, Jubo Dal leader expelled
  • Situation feels quite reassuring, says Rizwana regarding Yunus-Tarique meeting
  • Only those who participated in movements in last 16 years will lead BNP: Ctg mayor
  • Jamaat rally attacked allegedly by BNP men in Narayanganj
  • Yunus-Tarique London meeting raises hope, shows democratic direction: Dudu

Features

Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

1d | Mode
Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

3d | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

4d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

6d | Features

More Videos from TBS

Iran-Israel conflict heats up at G7 summit

Iran-Israel conflict heats up at G7 summit

32m | TBS World
Is Regime Change in Iran Israel's Goal?

Is Regime Change in Iran Israel's Goal?

1h | TBS World
Ishraque seeks chief adviser's intervention for oath as Dhaka South mayor

Ishraque seeks chief adviser's intervention for oath as Dhaka South mayor

2h | TBS Today
Israel asked US to join military campaign against Iran, but US rejects request

Israel asked US to join military campaign against Iran, but US rejects request

3h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net