Court Denies Bail to 27 Arrested at JSD Central Office in Dhaka
A Dhaka court denied bail to 27 people arrested from the central office of Jatiyatabadi Samajtantrik Dal in Gulistan following charges of creating an unstable environment and chanting Joy Bangla slogans
A Dhaka court on Monday rejected the bail petitions of 27 individuals arrested from the central office of Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal in the capital's Gulistan area. The accused face charges in a case filed over allegedly creating an unstable and chaotic environment by chanting slogans inside the party office and intimidating locals.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Nazmin Akhter delivered the ruling following a hearing. State counsel Shamsuddoha Suman confirmed the judicial outcome to the media.
During the proceedings, defense counsel Nilanjana Rifat pressed for the release of the accused, maintaining their innocence and asserting that they were holding a meeting with prior administrative approval. To substantiate the claim, the defense presented a police permission letter to the court, arguing that the gathering lacked any malafide intent.
Opposing the bail pleas, state prosecutor Shamsuddoha Suman contended that the gathering was orchestrated to incite anarchy and instability, characterizing the defendants as collaborators of fascist elements. He warned that releasing them at this stage would significantly impede the ongoing investigation.
The legal proceedings stem from an incident on Saturday evening when law enforcement personnel, assisted by local residents, detained a large group from the Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal central office. While initially detaining 278 individuals—including several journalists—authorities subsequently narrowed formal arrests down to 27 people following initial verification.
According to the police remand application filed by Paltan Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Md Nazjum Islam, the suspects chanted slogans and generated fear, failing to provide satisfactory explanations for their presence when interrogated. Police initially suspected their involvement in cognizable offenses and sought their detention under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Meanwhile, the political party has contested the police narrative, asserting that the gathering was a scheduled central representative meeting held with formal permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal representatives claimed that roughly 400 leaders and activists from across the country attended the event, which they alleged was disrupted by an attack from Bangladesh Nationalist Party activists before police surrounded the premises and detained those inside.
