No bail for Shanta Farzana, 6 others in anti-terrorism case

A court has rejected the bail applications of six individuals, including Notundhara Bangladesh Chairman Momin Mehedi and Senior Vice Chairman Shanta Farzana, in an anti-terrorism case filed with Shahbagh Police Station in the capital.

The court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain in Dhaka passed the order on Monday, August 10.

The other accused are: party Vice Chairman Nurjahan Nira, Joint Secretary Moniruzzaman, Organising Secretary Aftab Mandal and Hari Sarkar.

On the day, lawyers including Jahangir Alam sought bail on their behalf, while the state opposed the petitions. After the hearing, the court rejected their bail applications.

During the hearing, Jahangir Alam said New Era Bangladesh works on human rights and democracy. It is not a political organisation. They are not involved in the incident. He prayed for their bail.

Earlier, on the night of August 4, they were shown arrested in a case filed by one Babul Sardar. The court ordered them sent to jail the following day.

The case complaint stated that the accused are associates of the Awami League and conspirators against the current government. Their organisation is named New Era Bangladesh. Accused Shanta Farzana entered Dhaka Medical College Hospital and described the current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as an "illegal Prime Minister" and the July movement as a "militant movement." Additionally, Shanta Farzana and Momin Mehedi had previously given statements in various media in favour of the Awami League, presenting Sheikh Hasina as the legitimate Prime Minister, the complaint added.

It further stated that with the aim of overthrowing the newly formed BNP government after July, coordinated anti-government activities were conducted on various social media platforms, including Telegram, in coordination with the Awami League. On the evening of August 4, around 7pm, Shanta Farzana and other named accused, along with 50 to 60 unidentified individuals, raised provocative slogans and held a procession in front of the Press Club in Shahbagh.

When the complainant, SDF Member Secretary Al Nur Mohammad Ayas, and family members of July martyrs protested, the accused, led by Shanta Farzana, allegedly attacked them with local weapons, sticks, SS pipes, chairs and hockey sticks. July fighters Mohsin, Ashraful and Tawhid were injured and bled. Additionally, the complainant and Al Nur Mohammad Ayas were allegedly beaten indiscriminately with the intention of killing them, causing injuries to various parts of their bodies. Babul Sardar filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station over the incident. In addition to naming six individuals, the complaint also implicated 50 to 60 unidentified others.