Someone else used ASP identity to enter KB convention, says Maj Sadequl’s wife Sumaiya

Sumaiya Zafrin, wife of Army Maj Sadequl Haque, has said in court that someone else entered the KB Convention Hall in Bashundhara under the guise of an assistant superintendent of police (ASP), and she is being falsely blamed.

On Thursday, she made the statement during a remand hearing before Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefat Ullah, following her arrest in a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The Army has already initiated an internal tribunal to investigate allegations that Maj Sadequl trained ruling Awami League workers.

Sumaiya, meanwhile, became the subject of social media rumours claiming she was an ASP. But on Aug 2, police confirmed that no one by that name holds the ASP rank.

Detective Branch Inspector Jehad Hossain of Gulshan Division sought a seven-day remand, saying that Sumaiya and others, allegedly under foreign influence, had plotted to destabilise the country under a campaign called “Operation Dhaka Block”.

He claimed that 300 to 400 people rented the convention hall using a fake ASP identity.

The court granted a five-day remand.

Public prosecutors Azizul Haque Didar and Kaiyum Hossain Nayan supported the remand, arguing the group had planned to overthrow the government through secret meetings and mass mobilisation.

They alleged that Sumaiya and her husband were part of a wider conspiracy led by “misguided” Army officers, with deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina directing strategy from Delhi.

“They were trying to seize Shahbagh and trigger chaos,” said Nayan, urging the court to approve the remand to uncover the full plot.

In response, defence lawyer Morshed Alam Shahin sought bail, arguing that Sumaiya was not named in the original complaint filed on Jul 11, and that she was arrested on Aug 6 without any direct accusations or confessions linking her.

“She’s not a political activist. If she’s guilty, the investigation will reveal it. But she should not be remanded without cause,” he said.

Speaking with court permission, Sumaiya said: “Someone else entered the KB Convention as an ASP. But now I am being blamed. Everything was pre-arranged. I went with my husband. I didn’t know what was happening inside. If needed, you can question me, but please don’t place me on remand. I’ve done nothing wrong.”