Dhaka Court Sends Six Leaders of Natun Dhara Bangladesh to Jail on Anti-Terrorism Charges

A Dhaka court on Wednesday ordered six leaders of the political organization “Notun Dhara Bangladesh” to be sent to jail in connection with a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The group includes the organization’s chairman, Momin Mehdi, and senior vice-chairman, Shanta Farzana, alongside four other senior members: Dr. Nurjahan Neera, Moniruzzaman, Aftab Mondal, and Hari Sarkar.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi, the accused were not physically present in court during the proceedings. The case, initiated on Tuesday night by an individual named Babul Sardar, alleges that the group engaged in anti-government conspiracies and orchestrated violent acts.

Investigators allege that the suspects are affiliated with the ousted Awami League and have been actively working to destabilize the current interim government. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting that Shanta Farzana and Momin Mehdi had previously used media platforms to publicly endorse former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Furthermore, authorities claim the group utilized encrypted Telegram channels to coordinate efforts to topple the current administration and disparaged the memory of Abu Sayed, a prominent figure in the July student movement, by labeling him as a drug addict.

The legal complaint further asserts that on Monday evening, Shanta Farzana led a provocative rally in front of the National Press Club. The situation escalated into violence when the group allegedly attacked Al Nur Mohammad Ayas and family members of those killed during the July uprising, using weapons such as pipes, hockey sticks, and chairs.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the defense counsel, Mofizul Islam Aslam, requested bail for four of the suspects, arguing that the group had gathered for a peaceful মানববন্ধন to protest an earlier assault against Shanta Farzana. The defense maintained that the four individuals in question were not involved in the alleged violence at the Press Club.

Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi strongly opposed the bail petitions, emphasizing the gravity of the charges related to hate speech and the coordination of violent activities against the state. Following the arguments, Metropolitan Magistrate Kamal Uddin rejected the bail pleas and ordered all six individuals to be remanded to judicial custody pending further investigation. The investigation remains ongoing as police seek to identify other unidentified associates involved in the alleged conspiracy.