A Dhaka court has granted a three-day remand for former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal in a case filed with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station on charges of sedition and conducting a fraudulent election.
Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman passed the order on Thursday (June 26).
Sub-Inspector Shamsuzzoha Sarkar, the investigating officer of the case, submitted a petition seeking a 10-day remand for Awal to ensure proper investigation. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi supported the remand request on behalf of the state, while defence lawyers filed petitions seeking bail and cancellation of the remand. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court rejected the bail plea and approved a three-day remand.
Detectives of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) arrested Awal on Wednesday (June 25) from the capital’s Moghbazar area.
The case was initially filed on June 22 by BNP leader Salahuddin Khan, a member of the party's National Executive Committee. It accuses 24 individuals, including Awal, of failing to uphold constitutional duties during the previous Awami League government by allegedly intimidating voters and depriving them of their right to vote.
On June 25, charges of sedition, election fraud, and money embezzlement were formally added to the case.