Two young women detained while attempting to pay respects at the historic residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmandi 32 on 15 August have been formally shown arrested in an Anti-Terrorism Act case filed six months ago.
The individuals, identified as 21-year-old Jannatul Ferdous, also known as Jannat, and 29-year-old Suma Boral, known as Doli, were produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka on Sunday, 16 August. Sub-Inspector Abu Solaiman Suman, the investigating officer from Dhanmandi Police Station, submitted a formal prayer to the court requesting that both women be remanded to judicial custody to facilitate ongoing enquiries.
Following arguments from both sides, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain rejected the bail petitions presented by the defence and ordered that both suspects be sent to prison. Advocate Gazi Faisal Islam argued for Jannatul Ferdous, whilst Advocate Liton Miah represented Suma Boral during the hearing, as confirmed by Sub-Inspector Abul Bashar Abdullah of the police prosecution division.
The case to which the two women have now been linked dates back to late February. According to official police documentation submitted to the court, law enforcement officers received intelligence at approximately 6:00 am on 27 February regarding an unsanctioned gathering along Road 3 in Dhanmandi. Authorities alleged that around 20 to 25 individuals associated with the Mohila Awami League had assembled carrying placards to conduct an anti-government rally.
When police forces arrived at the location shortly after 6:15 am, several participants were taken into custody whilst others dispersed. Investigating officers claimed in the original filing that those apprehended during the February incident admitted to gathering for the purpose of spreading anti-state propaganda and conspiring against the government. A formal case under the stringent Anti-Terrorism Act was subsequently registered at Dhanmandi Police Station.
Addressing journalists outside the courtroom following the ruling, defence lawyer Liton Miah challenged the legal basis of the arrests. He emphasized that neither Jannatul nor Suma was named in the initial First Information Report (FIR) drawn up six months ago, pointing out that his clients were picked up at Dhanmandi 32 on Friday before being retroactively attached to the earlier anti-terrorism investigation.
Dhanmandi 32, the site where Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated alongside most of his family in 1975, traditionally draws visitors on 15 August. Security across the perimeter remained exceptionally tight throughout the day, with law enforcement personnel maintaining strict surveillance over the site and detaining several individuals attempting to gather or lay flowers near the premises. Police officials stated that investigations into both suspects remain active to verify their backgrounds and any political affiliations.
