BCL secret meeting: Prime accused gives confession, two leaders put on 5-day remand
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Minhajur Rahman recorded Sohel Rana’s confessional statement today (14 August) and ordered authorities to send him to jail.
Barguna Jubo League leader Sohel Rana, prime accused in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over a secret meeting allegedly organised by activists of the banned outfit Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) in the capital's Basundhara Residential Area, has given a confessional statement.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Minhajur Rahman recorded Sohel Rana's confessional statement today (14 August) and ordered authorities to send him to jail.
According to court sources, the investigating officer, Detective Branch (DB) Gulshan Division Inspector Md Jehad Hossain, pleaded to record his confessional statement as the accused had voluntarily agreed to give it.
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Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jewel Rana's court heard remand petitions for the other two accused — BCL Joint General Secretary (Dhaka South) Saurav Dev alias Nayan and Sandwip Thana Chhatra League leader Shamsuddin Rony.
The investigation officer sought seven days' remand for each.
Defence lawyers appealed for cancellation of the remand and bail, which the prosecution opposed.
After hearing both sides, the court granted five days' remand for each of the two accused.
Prime accused Sohel Rana was arrested on 13 July in Bashundhara Residential Area and remanded for two days the following day. He was later sent to jail.
Chattogram Metro DB police arrested Saurav on 12 August and Rony was arrested around 1am today from Nikunja Residential Area in Khilkhet.
According to the case filed by Sub-Inspector Jyotirmoy Mondol of Vatara Police Station on 13 July, the banned Chhatra League organised a secret meeting on 8 July at the KB Convention Hall near Bashundhara Residential Area.
The meeting, held from 10am to evening, was reportedly attended by 300 to 400 people, including members of the banned Chhatra League, Awami League, and some retired government officials.
During the gathering, participants reportedly chanted anti-government slogans.
Police said the meeting aimed to mobilise supporters across the country to gather in Dhaka upon receiving instructions from ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The plan was to occupy the Shahbag intersection and create unrest and fear among the public, paving the way for Hasina's return.
