Maj Sadequl’s wife ‘confesses’ to her role in Bashundhara ‘secret meeting’

Sumaiya Zafrin has given her statement in court after five days of questioning, police say

Sumaiya Zafrin, wife of Maj Sadequl Hoque, has confessed in court over her role in a “conspiratorial secret meeting” at a convention centre in Dhaka’s Bashundhara residential area, police say.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque recorded her statement on Tuesday after Zafrin said she wished to speak “voluntarily”.

She had been in custody under police interrogation for five days before the court appearance.

Zafrin has now been sent to jail, said Vatara Police Station General Registration Officer Sub-Inspector (SI) Zakir Hossain.

Vatara police SI Jyotirmoy Mondal lodged the case on Jul 13.

A total of 23 people, including Zafrin, have been arrested in the case.

According to the case dossier, the meeting was organised by the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League.

The gathering included activists from the Awami League, Chhatra League, and retired government officials, with an estimated attendance of 300 to 400.

The First Information Report (FIR) says during the day-long meeting on Jul 8, participants shouted anti-government slogans and allegedly discussed plans to mobilise people from across the country to Dhaka, occupy the Shahbagh intersection, and create instability in the capital.

The aim, according to the report, was to spread fear among the public and force the return of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sadequl was also allegedly present at the gathering.

On Jul 31, during a press briefing at Army Headquarters, journalists raised concerns over social media claims that “he was training Awami League activists”.

“The issue involving Major Sadequl has come to our attention,” said Bangladesh Army’s Operation Director Brig Gen Md Nazim-ud-Doula.

“He is currently in army custody. If found guilty, action will be taken under military law,” he added.