Ex-MP Ashika placed on fresh 3-day remand

A Dhaka court today (29 June) granted a fresh three-day remand for former reserved-seat member of parliament for Nilphamari-3, Ashika Sultana, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Mirpur Model Police Station.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque issued the order following a remand hearing, confirmed Defence Lawyer Shahabuddin Raju.

When she was being taken back to prison following the hearing, Ashika chanted, "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu."

She also questioned the repeated remand orders, saying, "What have I done? What is my offence? Why am I being placed on remand again and again?"

Ashika Sultana was arrested around 11:50pm on Thursday from Mirpur. The following day, police sought a seven-day remand, but the court granted three days.

After the initial remand expired today, Sub-Inspector Al Mamun Hossain of Mirpur Model Police Station produced her before the court and applied for a further five-day remand.

Representing the former MP, Lawyer Shahabuddin Raju sought the cancellation of the remand and applied for bail. The prosecution opposed the application.

Following submissions from both sides, the court granted police a further three days to question the accused in custody.

According to the case statement, on 19 June, around 40-50 members of the Awami League and its student wing allegedly held an anti-government procession on the road outside the Bata showroom adjacent to the Apex showroom in Mirpur-1.

Police claimed that, upon noticing officers at the scene, the participants fled, leaving behind banners and placards. Investigators later reviewed video footage, which they say showed the procession was organised to mark the founding anniversary of the Awami League.

Police later filed the case with Mirpur Model Police Station.

Investigators said Ashika Sultana's further interrogation was needed to identify the procession's organisers and leaders, determine its motive, and trace other suspects.