Two ex-anti-discrimination student leaders placed on 2-day remand

A Manikganj court has granted a two-day remand for two former leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement, in a case filed for extortion, misconduct with police, and violations under the Cyber Security Act.

The arrested, Meherab Hossain, 19, and Ashraful Islam Raju, 21, were arrested from their homes by Sadar Police on Wednesday morning.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sadbir Yasir Ahsan Chowdhury passed the remand order on Thursday (May 22), after Investigating Officer Sub-Inspector Md Rakibul Islam Ujjwal submitted a petition seeking a seven-day remand.

According to the case details, Meherab Hossain allegedly demanded money in exchange for dropping a previous case filed against former Health Minister Zahid Malek, local Awami League leaders, police officials, and others. Additionally, both accused are alleged to have posted defamatory content and issued threats using a fake Facebook page named 'Manikganj News'. The page reportedly targeted district officials, politicians, journalists, and businesspeople.

A recent post on the same page defamed a local resident, prompting him to file the current case with Sadar Police Station. The accused allegedly demanded a ransom of two lakh taka from the plaintiff.

Sadar Police Station OC SM Aman Ullah confirmed the arrests and said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the case.