Published : 16 Aug 2026, 08:59 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:33 AM
Police have submitted an explanation to a Dhaka court outlining how former Army major Md Sadikul Haque could be linked to the torching of a private car despite being in jail at the time.
Sadikul, who was dismissed from the Army, is a suspect in an Anti-Terrorism Act case over the burning of a car in the Bashundhara area under Vatara Police Station.
Vatara Police Station chief Mazharul Islam and investigating officer Sub-Inspector Md Chand Ali submitted a written explanation to the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam on Sunday.
Prosecution Police Sub-Inspector Kamal Hossain said the judge would issue an order after reviewing it.
According to police, the investigation found that Sadikul, who was still serving in the Army at the time, held secret meetings from Jul 3 to Jul 8, 2025, in a hall on the second floor of KB Convention Hall near Bashundhara Residential Area.
The meetings, held from 10am to 6pm, were attended by leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its student wing Chhatra League.
“They gathered there for discussions and training aimed at intensifying and supporting the activities of the Awami League and Chhatra League, motivating their supporters and creating an anarchic situation in the country,” police said.
A case under the Anti-Terrorism Act was filed with Vatara Police Station on Jul 13 last year over the meetings. Sadikul is currently in jail as an accused identified during the investigation.
Police further said Sadikul had acted as chief trainer and coordinator and organised several such secret training sessions and workshops at a resort called C-Cell in Purbachal under Rupganj Police Station, a restaurant in Katabon, Mirpur DOHS, Sector 12 in Uttara, and at his flat in Priyanka City opposite the regional passport office, along with his wife Sumaiya Zafrin.
“Many of the Awami League and Chhatra League leaders and activists who attended these secret meetings, training sessions and workshops were later arrested, while others were not,” police said.
Police alleged that fugitive leaders and activists had received plans and training at Sadikul's meetings with the aim of destabilising the country to facilitate former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s return.
“Later, as part of implementing those plans, and on the basis of the accused’s previous instructions, funding and support, they set fire to the complainant’s car at the date and time mentioned in the case,” the explanation said.
Police said their investigation, both publicly and confidentially, had found information linking Sadikul to the case.
On Aug 7, investigating officer Sub-Inspector Chand Ali applied to the court to show Sadikul as a suspect in the case over the burning of a private car in the Bashundhara area on Nov 11, 2025.
The application said the incident was carried out as part of a “complete shutdown” programme and with the aim of destabilising the country.
Sadikul was already in jail after being arrested in another Anti-Terrorism Act case filed with Vatara Police Station. The investigation had found his “direct and indirect involvement” in the incident, according to the application.
The court scheduled a hearing in the presence of the accused for last Monday. Sadiq was brought before the court that day.
Defence lawyer H M Al-Amin argued: “The accused was in jail at the time of the incident. How could he burn a car from jail?”
The court then asked the Vatara Police Station chief and the case's investigation officer to explain how the former major could be involved in the case while he was behind bars.
The investigation officer appeared in court on Sunday and submitted the written explanation accordingly.
According to the case statement, Monir Hossain parked his private car in front of the Bitumen Gate that falls under the jurisdiction of Vatara Police Station on the night of Nov 11, 2025, and went home. Police and firefighters later went to the scene after receiving information that the car had been set on fire and brought the blaze under control.
Monir later learned from newspapers and social media about the Nov 13 “complete shutdown” programme announced by the Awami League and its affiliated organisations.
He subsequently filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Vatara Police Station, alleging that Chhatra League and Jubo League activists were behind the arson. He did not name any individual, instead accusing 20 to 25 people.
Sadikul, who was dismissed from the Army, was sentenced to three months in prison by a military court on Oct 29, 2024. He was then sent to jail.
He was later shown arrested in another Anti-Terrorism Act case filed with Vatara Police Station and has remained in jail since then.
