Court grants bail to man arrested over derogatory remarks on Tarique Rahman

A court granted bail to A K M Shahidul Islam, a teacher who was arrested over alleged derogatory remarks against acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Magistrate Md. Jewel Rana of the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court passed the order after a hearing on Sunday (December 28).

Inspector Swapan of the Prosecution Department confirmed the development this afternoon.

Shahidul Islam serves as the vice principal of Gabtoli Technical Training Center in Dhaka.

According to police, on Saturday (December 27), during Tarique Rahman’s visit to the grave of Inqilab Mancha Spokesperson Osman Hadi, Shahidul Islam reportedly shouted abusive words, calling him a “extortionist” and “terrorist.” BNP leaders on-site detained him and handed him over to Shahbagh police, who later formally arrested him under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and remanded him to jail.

Earlier on Saturday night, BNP senior joint secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, in a party statement, emphasised that freedom of expression is a fundamental democratic right. The party described Shahidul Islam’s arrest and detention as inappropriate and called for his unconditional release to uphold citizens’ democratic rights.