Major Sadiq, wife placed on 5-day remand in case over 'guerrilla training' of AL members
The accused were presented in court during the hearing.
A Dhaka court has placed Major (retd) Md Sadiqul Haque and his wife, Sumaiya Tahmid Zafrin, on a five-day police remand in two separate cases filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Hasan Shahadat issued the order on Monday morning (29 December) following hearings on two police petitions, state prosecutor Shamsuddoha Suman confirmed.
Both Sadiqul and Sumaiya have been in police custody since the beginning of August this year and they have been remanded multiple times since their arrest.
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Today, Md Sadiqul Haque was remanded in a case filed with Vatara Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act over allegations of providing guerrilla training to leaders and activists of the Awami League and the now-banned Chhatra League.
Earlier, on 14 December, the investigation officer, Detective Branch Inspector Md Jehad Hossain, sought Sadiqul's arrest in the case and requested a seven-day remand.
According to the remand petition, from 3 July to 8 July, the accused was physically present at the training venue and acted as the chief trainer, providing training to around 300 to 400 leaders and activists of the Awami League and Chhatra League.
The petition further stated that several individuals arrested earlier in the case had given confessional statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, admitting the involvement of Md Sadiqul Haque.
During the hearing, lawyers for the accused sought cancellation of the remand and filed a bail petition, while state prosecutor Shamsuddoha Suman opposed the pleas. After hearing both sides, the court granted a five-day remand.
According to the case statement, on 8 July, Chhatra League organised a secret meeting at the KB Convention Centre. The meeting, held from 10am until evening, was attended by 300 to 400 people, including Chhatra League members, Awami League activists, and retired government officials.
Case documents allege that participants raised anti-government slogans and planned to mobilise people from across the country to gather in Dhaka upon receiving instructions from ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The plan allegedly included occupying the Shahbagh intersection to create instability and fear among the public in an attempt to facilitate Hasina's return. Sub-Inspector Jyotirmoy Mondol of Vatara Police Station filed the case under the Anti-Terrorism Act on 13 July.
On 1 August, Major Sadiq was detained by the military after reports surfaced on social media and in the press alleging his involvement in training the AL activists.
Sumaiya remanded
Meanwhile, on 21 December, the investigation officer in the case against Sumaiya Tahmid Zafrin—DB police inspector Md Mozammel Haque Mamun—showed her arrested in the case and sought a seven-day remand. The court fixed 29 December for the remand hearing in the presence of the accused. The police produced her before the court for the hearing.
According to the remand application, other accused persons arrested in the case revealed important information during interrogation on police remand. Based on their statements and local investigation, police claimed that Sumaiya Tahmid Zafrin (26), who is currently in jail custody, participated in the procession.
The application further alleged that she was actively involved as a financier, adviser, and instigator of a banned organisation, with the intent to undermine the country's sovereignty, threaten public security, and create disorder. Preliminary investigations suggest she is an active member of the banned organisation and has provided financial support to individuals involved in anti-government and anti-state activities in different parts of Dhaka.
Police also claimed that she has been involved in efforts to reorganise the Awami League and Chhatra League across the country. Citing these allegations, police said custodial interrogation was necessary.
On the other hand, defence lawyer Muha Noman Hossain sought cancellation of the remand and applied for bail, while the state opposed the plea. After hearing both sides, the court granted a five-day remand.
According to police, on 6 August, Sumaiya Zafrin was taken into custody by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) from a convention centre adjacent to the Bashundhara Residential Area over alleged involvement in a "secret meeting" of the banned Chhatra League. The following day, the court granted her remand in that case. After the remand period ended, she was sent to jail, where she has remained in custody.
The case statement further says that on 22 April at around 7am, 30 to 35 unidentified people brought out a procession under the banner of the banned Chhatra League on a road beside Jabbar Tower in Gulshan-1. At the time, leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate organisations allegedly joined the procession and chanted anti-state slogans.
Police arrested five people at the scene, while others managed to flee. Later that day, the police filed the case as the complainant at Gulshan Police Station.
Sumaiya Zafrin was taken into custody by the Detective Branch (DB) on 6 August from the Mirpur DOHS area. According to DB officials, she was detained in connection with a "secret meeting" recently held at Bashundhara residential area.
