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Published : 09 Sep 2025, 06:57 PM
A Dhaka court has rejected the bail petition of former secretary Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, who was arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over an alleged “anti-government conspiracy” linked to an event organised by "Mancha 71".
Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ariful Islam passed the order on Tuesday after hearing arguments from both sides, according to SI Jinnat Ali from the prosecution.
Earlier in the day, Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested Shafiqul in the Anandalok Eco Resort in Patuakhali’s Kalapara.
He was produced before court, where DB Inspector Md Akhtar Morshed, the investigation officer, sought his detention in jail.
Defence lawyer Liton Mia argued for bail, saying Shafiqul had no connection with the case.
“He was not present at the event. He is an elderly and ill man, not a member of Mancha 71, and has no involvement whatsoever. He was arrested only to harass him,” Liton told the court.Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon opposed bail, claiming the accused had conspired to topple the interim government.
“On the 5th of August, they gathered to bring back fascist (Sheikh) Hasina. Their dream will not succeed. We strongly oppose his bail,” he said.
On Aug 28, at a "Mancha 71" roundtable on the Liberation War and the Constitution at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, several participants, including former minister and freedom fighter Abdul Latif Siddique, came under attack by a mob.
Police later detained Siddique and 15 others, showing them arrested in the case under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sending them to jail.
Just a day earlier, another former secretary, Abu Alam Shahid Khan -- also known as a political analyst and frequent TV panellist -- was arrested in the same case and put in jail custody.
Police claimed he had been present at the DRU event and was part of the alleged conspiracy.
Investigators also alleged that Shafiqul had “secret links” with others accused in the case.
Shafiqul served as secretary of the Planning Division in 2013 before being appointed secretary to the President’s Office in 2015.
Other accused now behind bars in the case include Dhaka University law professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman (Karzon), Golam Mostafa, Zakir Hossain, Md Towsiful Bari Khan, Amir Hossain Sumon, Md Shafiqul Islam Delwar, Abdullahil Kaiyum, Kazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, Md Mohiul Islam alias Babu, Md Al Amin, Md Nazmul Ahsan, Syed Shahed Hasan, Dewan Mohammad Ali, and Md Abdullah Al Amin.
According to the case statement, "Mancha 71" was launched on Aug 5 to resist what was described as a “deep conspiracy to erase the history of the Liberation War.” As part of its campaign, it organised the Aug 28 roundtable at the DRU.
The statement said during the event, a group of people stormed the venue, shouting slogans, locking doors and harassing participants. They tore down banners, confined attendees, and assaulted some, including Latif Siddique and Prof Hafizur Rahman, before police intervened and detained 16 people.
The case was later lodged at Shahbagh Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
