6 Chhatra League, Jubo League activists sent to jail over chanting ‘Joy Bangla’ at Tofail Ahmed’s janaza

A Dhaka court today (2 June) sent six activists of the banned Chhatra League and Jubo League to jail in a case filed over allegedly chanting “Joy Bangla” after the namaz-e-janaza of nine-time lawmaker Tofail Ahmed.

Following a police plea, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Fahmina Khandaker Anna passed the order, confirmed defence lawyer Mohammad Liton Mia.

Earlier, the investigation officer of the case, Dhanmondi Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Mahmudur Rahman, produced the six accused before the court and sought an order to keep them in jail.

Lawyers for the accused moved bail petitions, while the prosecution opposed the pleas.

After hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail petitions and ordered the accused to be sent to jail.

According to the case statement, around 200 leaders and activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League gathered at Takwa Mosque in Dhanmondi yesterday (1 June) to attend Tofail Ahmed’s funeral prayer.

The complaint alleged that after the funeral, while Tofail’s body was being taken from the mosque to a refrigerated hearse, the group brought out a procession chanting “Joy Bangla” and anti-government slogans.

Police arrested seven people from the spot while others fled, according to the case documents.

Sub-Inspector Mithun Singha later filed the case with Dhanmondi Model Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act, naming the accused.