Police have arrested A F M Ahsan Uddin Tutul, former president of the Cumilla South District Chhatra League, in connection with an anti-terrorism case. He was sent to jail through a court order on Saturday, 24 October, after being formally shown as arrested in the case.

Tutul was detained earlier that day at his home in the Balutopa area of Jagannathpur Union, in Adarsha Sadar Upazila of Cumilla district.

Towhidul Anwar, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, confirmed the arrest. He said Tutul had recently returned to the area and was allegedly working to reorganise the Awami League. Police showed him as arrested in an anti-terrorism case on the basis of specific allegations before producing him before the court. He was subsequently sent to jail.

According to police sources, Tutul had been in hiding since 5 August 2024, when the Awami League government fell amid widespread political upheaval. He reportedly returned to his home area in recent weeks and began efforts to reorganise the party. Police said they arrested him following a tip-off.

The precise allegations against Tutul, the specific provisions of the anti-terrorism law invoked in the case and the evidence cited by investigators were not detailed in the information available. His own response to the allegations was also not reported.

Tutul is known in Cumilla’s political circles as a close follower of former railway minister Mujibul Haque. His association with the former minister has been a notable part of his political background in the district.

Party sources said Tutul became president of the Cumilla South District Chhatra League committee announced on 27 June 2011. His leadership role in the student organisation helped establish his profile in local politics, where he was also recognised for his links with Haque.

Tutul’s family, however, has disputed any suggestion that he faces a case relating to the July 2024 uprising. Relatives have claimed that no case was filed against him in connection with the movement. They also said he had been planning to travel to Japan next month.

The family’s statement differs from the police account, which refers to specific allegations in an anti-terrorism case. No separate response from the police addressing the family’s claim was included in the available information.

Tutul’s arrest comes against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s major political changes following the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024. The period since then has seen legal proceedings and police action involving political figures and activists in different parts of the country.

However, the circumstances of each case must be assessed on the available evidence. An arrest does not establish guilt, and the allegations against Tutul will need to be examined through the judicial process. Further details from the investigation and court proceedings are likely to clarify the nature of the case and the grounds on which he has been accused.