A Dhaka court has ordered 18 individuals, including the Convener of the Ahinsha Gonabhutyhan (Non-violent Uprising), Mahbubul Alam Chowdhury, to be sent to jail in a case accusing them of conspiracy and incitement to unrest by promising interest-free loans.
On Tuesday, November 26, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Monirul Islam issued the order.
The other accused sent to jail include Advocate Ziaur Rahmans, Syed Istiak Ahmed (47), Md. Mehedi Hasan (34), Netrakona Convener of Nonviolent Uprising Bangladesh Md. Rahat Imam Noman (33), Md. Masud (37), Ibrahim (29), Md. Alek Farazi (44), Md. Saiful Islam (48), Md. Abu Bakkar (49), Md. Rinku (21), Md. Nizam Uddin (32), Syed Harun Or Rashid (60), Md. Afzal Mandal (42), Abdur Rahim (30), Nur Nabi (45), Md. Shahid (28), and Mosha. Kohinur Akter (50).
Earlier, the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Mahafuzur Rahman of Shahbagh Police Station, produced the accused before the court, requesting their detention in custody. Defense lawyers filed for bail and requested a hearing on Thursday. The court denied immediate bail and set the bail hearing for Thursday, sending the accused to jail in the meantime.
Separately, the court was informed that A B M Mustafa Amin, another leader of the Ahinsha Gonabhutyhan (Non-violent Uprising), had fallen ill due to old age after being arrested. He is currently receiving treatment at Square Hospital. The investigating officer requested a custody warrant for his court appearance, and the court instructed his presentation upon recovery.
On Monday, November 25, the organization "Ahinsha Gonabhutyhan (Non-violent Uprising)" attempted to gather a crowd of thousands in Shahbagh, Dhaka. The group targeted impoverished workers across the country, enticing them with promises of interest-free loans using repatriated funds allegedly smuggled abroad. They also collected a registration fee of BDT 1,000 per person.
Sub-Inspector Harun Or Rashid of Shahbagh Police Station filed the case against the accused.
According to the case details, on November 25, the group, under the banner "Ahinsha Gonabhutyhan (Non-violent Uprising)," conspired to gather people from various districts of Dhaka and elsewhere, promising interest-free loans. They unlawfully assembled at Shahbagh intersection, creating unrest and deteriorating law and order. The crowd caused damage to traffic equipment, including plastic road dividers, amounting to an estimated loss of BDT 20,000.
