4 Awami League leaders, activists arrested while visiting Palak in court, placed on remand
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
A court has granted a three-day remand for four leaders and activists of the Awami League who were arrested while visiting former State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak in a court. The remand was granted in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Kotwali Police Station. Today (Tuesday), Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana issued the order after hearing both sides.
The accused are: Mostakim Hossain, Md. Noor Alam, Md. Ruhul Amin, and Md. Anwar Hossain.
On the day, the accused were produced in court from jail. Subsequently, the hearing commenced in their presence. During the hearing, defense lawyers appealed for cancellation of the remand and sought bail. Meanwhile, the prosecution argued in favor of remand. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail plea and ordered the remand.
Earlier, on Sunday, police arrested them from the premises of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court. The following day, they were produced in court, and Sub-Inspector Ibne Khalid Hossain of Kotwali Police Station applied for a seven-day remand. On that day, they were sent to jail, and Tuesday was set for the remand hearing.
The case details state that on July 26, the date for framing charges against 34 individuals, including Sheikh Hasina, in a case lodged with Mohammadpur Police Station was being fixed at the Special Judge's Court in Dhaka. On the same day, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka had set a date for the hearing on the investigation report on former Law Minister Anisul Huq and other accused. Centering around these hearings, several members and supporters of the banned Chhatra League, gathered. Upon receiving information, police arrived at the scene. They observed that the accused were gathering under the banner of the banned Chhatra League, attempting to undermine the country's sovereignty, raising anti-state and anti-government slogans, and conducting flash marches.
Upon noticing the police presence, 100–150 unidentified leaders and activists tried to flee. At that time, Mostakim Hossain, Md. Noor Alam, Md. Ruhul Amin, and Md. Anwar Hossain were arrested. The unidentified accused managed to escape abruptly. In this connection, police filed a case on Tuesday as the plaintiff.
