Indian national Rabiul sent on 7-day remand
A Dhaka court has placed Indian national Rabiul Islam on seven days’ remand in a case filed under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, following allegations of providing inconsistent information, using forged documents and engaging in suspicious activities.
The case was filed after investigators said they obtained key information while questioning him. The allegations in the case include espionage and passing sensitive information to foreign intelligence agencies.
On Thursday, Inspector Mezbah Uddin of the Detective Branch’s Ramna division, who is investigating the case, sought 10 days’ remand for Rabiul. After hearing the application, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefatullah granted seven days’ remand, Public Prosecutor Harun or Rashid confirmed.
According to the case statement and sources familiar with the investigation, Rabiul Islam, son of Shahidul Islam of Gouribhoj village under Matia police station in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India, entered Bangladesh on 14 September.
He was detained at a house in Sector 11 under Uttara West Police Station. During initial questioning, he produced his passport.
Investigators subsequently found discrepancies in the dates of birth recorded on his passport, driving licence and Indian national identity card, according to the case statement. Investigators also alleged that he provided inconsistent information about his previous visits to and stays in Bangladesh.
The complaint further states that although Rabiul is an Indian national, his passport lists his place of birth as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During questioning, he allegedly admitted to travelling to Bangladesh several times over the past 10 to 12 years.
According to the complaint, investigators also found evidence suggesting that he had entered Bangladesh on the pretext of conducting business while allegedly engaging in espionage and passing information to a foreign organisation.
The case statement alleges that Rabiul attempted to send photographs of important government installations and restricted areas, along with government documents and other sensitive information, to foreign intelligence agencies. He is also accused of assisting agents of foreign intelligence agencies.
Investigators initially arrested him under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure over suspected involvement in recent acts of sabotage and alleged espionage activities, according to the case statement.
He was subsequently placed on remand for a total of eight days in two phases. Following the interrogation, investigators filed the regular case under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, based on what they described as key information obtained during questioning.
The allegations against Rabiul have yet to be established in court.
