Former MP Mita Granted Six-Day Remand in Dhaka Terror Case

A Dhaka court has placed former Chattogram-3 MP Mahfuzur Rahman Mita on a six-day remand in an anti-terrorism case, according to The Business Standard. The order, issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam on September 22, also grants a five-day remand to Mita's driver, Golam Mawla Selim. The legal action follows their arrest from a residence in Gulshan-2 late on the previous day.

Prosecutors sought a ten-day remand for both accused, citing the need to interrogate them regarding a protest march and crude bomb blasts. Police officials stated that preliminary inquiries suggest the two were involved in organizing these activities and that further questioning is necessary to identify other suspects who remain at large. The case was filed at the Tejgaon Industrial Area Police Station.

Allegations of June Protest Violence

According to the case statement, a group of approximately 35 to 40 leaders and activists from the Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League organized a procession near the Mohakhali bus terminal on the morning of June 18. The protest allegedly included anti-government slogans and crude bomb blasts that caused panic among the public. Investigators are currently working to determine the source of the materials used in these incidents.

Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi argued that Mita's involvement was revealed during the interrogation of four other accused individuals who had been arrested earlier in the case. Faruqi further noted that Mita faces three separate cases in Chattogram and had been residing in Dhaka without appearing in those proceedings. He also alleged recent involvement in other disruptive activities in the capital.

Defense Challenges Involvement Claims

Defense lawyer Abdullah Al Mamun sought the cancellation of the remand and bail for both accused, arguing that Mita had no involvement in the incident. Mamun contended that his client was engaged in social welfare activities and opposed the ten-day remand request, citing reported health problems. The defense maintained that the allegations lacked sufficient evidence to support such an extended detention period.

Investigative Next Steps and Context

Police inspector Md Masudur Rahman of the Tejgaon zonal team confirmed that the remand petition was based on information gathered during preliminary interrogations. The investigation aims to clarify the roles of Mita and Selim in the alleged coordination of the protest and the subsequent violence. The court's decision allows investigators a limited window to gather further evidence before the next judicial review.

The forward question centers on whether the interrogation will yield concrete evidence linking Mita to the supply of materials for the crude bombs. Observers will watch for any additional arrests or disclosures from the other four accused who are already in custody. The outcome of this remand period may also influence how authorities handle similar cases involving political activists in Dhaka.