Sedition cases against Babunagari, Mamunul: PBI asked to submit investigation report by Jan 7

A Dhaka court on Monday directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to conduct investigation into the two cases filed against Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh chief Junaid Babunagari, Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh Faizul Karim for making controversial remarks on construction of a sculpture of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Court of Metropolitan Magistrate Sotyabrata Sikder passed the order on Monday afternoon.

The court also directed the deputy inspector general of PBI to submit the investigation report before it within January 7, 2021.

Muktijoddha Mancha president Aminul Islam Bulbul filed the case with the court this morning.

Earlier on Sunday, a Supreme Court lawyer sought permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs to file the sedition case against them.

Besides, Advocate Moshiur Malek, founder of Bangabandhu Foundation, filed a case against Mamunul Haque with the same court over the same allegation.

The plaintiffs said all the statements made by Babunagari, Mamunul and Faizul Karim are tantamount to sedition and go against the state.

They also appealed to the court to issue arrest warrant against the trio for their alleged involvement with "tarnishing the image of the government and creating anarchy" across the country.

Recently, the Hefazat leaders threatened to throw Bangabandhu’s sculpture into the Buriganga. He was later backed by several other Islamist leaders, including Faizul, leading to an uproar across the country.