Jubo League leader among 8 placed on 4-day remand over Uttarkhan sabotage plot

A Dhaka court has placed eight people, including a banned Bangladesh Jubo League leader, on four-day remand in a case filed over an alleged plot to carry out sabotage in the capital's Uttarkhan area.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque passed the order today (13 September) following a remand petition by the investigation officer.

Public prosecutor Harun-or-Rashid confirmed the matter. The accused are Mohammad Mazharul Islam alias Raihan, 32, joint general secretary of Ward 45 Jubo League; Mohammad Rakib, 23; Mohammad Tanvir Khan, 26; Mohammad Abdur Rahman, 40; Mohammad Sifat, 20; Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman, 24; Mohammad Ashik Mia, 23; and Mohammad Bakul Ahmed alias Raju, 24. Earlier, Uttarkhan Police Sub-Inspector Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, also the investigation officer in the case, produced the accused before the court and sought five days' remand for each.

The investigation officer said the accused needed to be interrogated to uncover the circumstances of the case, identify and arrest other accomplices and determine the identities and whereabouts of those allegedly behind the planned sabotage. After hearing both sides, the court granted four days' remand for each accused.

The defence lawyer, Mostafizur Rahman Talukder Dipu, sought cancellation of the remand.

The prosecution opposed the plea. According to the case statement, several members of a banned organisation gathered inside an auto-rickshaw garage in the Puranpara area of Uttarkhan on yesterday (12 September) night and were allegedly planning activities aimed at disrupting public peace and carrying out sabotage.

Acting on a tip-off, police conducted a raid at the garage and arrested the eight suspects. Police said another 25-30 unidentified people fled after sensing the presence of law enforcement. Sub-Inspector Mohammad Zahid Hossain of Uttarkhan Police Station filed the case under the Special Powers Act 1974.