Maj Sadique’s wife on 5-day remand
Staff Reporter :
Sumaiya Zafrin, wife of detained former army officer Major Sadique Haque, has been placed on a five-day remand in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over allegations of participating in a clandestine gathering involving banned leaders of the Awami League (AL) and its affiliated organisations.
The remand order was issued on Thursday by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefatullah, following a hearing at the metropolitan court.
Earlier in the day, Detective Branch (DB) Inspector Md Jehad Hossain-the investigating officer in the case-produced Sumaiya before the court and sought a seven-day remand for further questioning.
Her legal counsels, led by Advocate Morshed Hossain Shaheen, opposed the remand and appealed for bail. However, Additional Public Prosecutor Azizul Haque Didar and Assistant Public Prosecutor Abdul Qaiyum Nayan argued in support of the petition. Upon hearing both sides, the court granted a five-day remand.
Sumaiya Zafrin was detained by DB personnel on 6 August from her residence in Mirpur DOHS. According to DB sources, her arrest followed intelligence linking her to a secret political meeting held recently in Bashundhara residential area in the city.
As outlined in the case statement, on 8 July, a covert meeting was allegedly held at the KB Convention Centre near Bashundhara, attended by 300-400 individuals-including members of the banned Chhatra League (BCL), Awami League affiliates, and retired civil and military officials.
The gathering reportedly involved anti-government rhetoric and discussions aimed at triggering nationwide unrest.
According to investigators, the agenda included mobilising supporters toward the capital, occupying Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection, and fomenting panic to pave the way for the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The case was filed on 13 July with Bhatara Police Station by Sub-Inspector Jyotirmoy Mondal under various provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Major Sadique Haque was earlier detained by military intelligence following reports suggesting his involvement in guerrilla-style training programs for AL-affiliated activists.
Sumaiya’s arrest followed shortly after, as part of the same investigation.
Previously, AL leader Shamima Nasrin (Shampa), wife of a senior directorate general of Health Services, and Jubo League leader Sohel Rana were also remanded in connection with the same case.
To date, at least 22 individuals-including leaders and activists of the banned Awami League, Chhatra League, and other associated organisations-have been arrested as part of the ongoing probe.