Quota reform leader Rashed remanded again

Quota reform leader Rashed Khan has been taken in for a second phase of remand grilling amidst countrywide outcry demanding his unconditional release.

Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asssaduzzaman Nur ordered the 10-day remand in two cases today, fresh after Rashed’s five-day remand period ended.

One of the cases is under the ICT act while the other was filed for assaulting police and preventing them from discharging their duties in April.

Detectives had produced Rashed before court and sought him in 20-day remand.

According to case statement, Rashed allegedly demeaned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Facebook on June 27, an allegation the quota reform leader disowned.

Rashed, joint convener of quota reform-demanding popular platform Bangladesh Sadharan Chhatra OdhikarSangrakkhan Parishad, was detained from Bhasantek, Dhaka, on July 1 at a time when the government went offensive against the activists.

He was later shown arrested in a case filed under the ICT Act on the day. Bangladesh Chhatra League Law Affairs secretary Al-Nahian Khan Joy filed the case with Shahbagh Police Station.

Also during that time, ruling Awami League’s student front Chhatra League cracked down on the activists – beating them up mercilessly in Dhaka and elsewhere.

Since then, citizens, politicians and organisations have been on the street vocal against the “barbaric acts” and demanding unconditional release of Rashed.