A Dhaka court on Monday placed two retired military officers on a four-day remand in connection with a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Cyber Protection Ordinance for alleged anti-state conspiracy, incitement to violence, illegal financing, and cyber propaganda.
Metropolitan Magistrate Didarul Alam granted the remand order after a hearing.
The accused have been identified as Retired Lieutenant Kazi Gulshan Ara, 43, and Retired Lieutenant Colonel Debashish Kumar, 47.
Inspectors of the Cyber and Special Crime Division of the Detective Branch (DB) produced the duo before the court, seeking a seven-day remand for interrogation. Defence counsels Advocate Abdullah Al Mansur Ripon and Sanaullah Haq Tipu prayed for bail alongside a petition to cancel the remand.
According to the case statement filed with Pallabi Police Station, the suspects operated from a residence in Pallabi, creating WhatsApp groups such as "Bangladesh Awami League Supporters Alpha" and "BBM Transparency" to generate and disseminate anti-state and provocative digital content.
Investigating officer Inspector (Unarmed) Sheikh Bashir Ahmed noted in the remand prayer that the accused, through platforms titled "Unity Care" and "Public Parliament," were allegedly colluding with fugitives—including former Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Aziz Ahmed and a former home minister—to orchestrate anti-government plots and facilitate a political resurgence.
The petition further alleged that the duo utilized a Facebook page named "KaalAajkal.com" to incite public unrest. Police also cited evidence suggesting the suspects formed a 101-member committee under the banner of "Bangabandhu Sena Parishad" during a 2018 roundtable conference in allegiance to the ousted government, alongside maintaining active links with domestic and foreign intelligence entities.
Key Reasons Cited for Remand
Police highlighted five primary grounds for seeking custody:
Identifying Associates: Locating the names, addresses, and whereabouts of co-conspirators.
Uncovering External Networks: Identifying local and foreign entities involved in anti-state activities.
Tracing Financing & Evidence: Investigating illegal funding sources and securing digital evidence.
Exposing Digital Assets: Discovering other covert websites or social media channels operated by the suspects.
Unraveling the Master Plan: Neutralizing anti-national plots and disclosing the root motive behind the operation.
Earlier on Sunday (October 11) night, a team from the Detective Branch arrested the duo during joint raids across the Pallabi and Banani DOHS areas of the capital.