The Supreme Court today directed a suspected member of banned militant group Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from Chapainwabganj, Md Toufikul Islam alias doctor Toufik, to surrender before the trial court concerned in two weeks in connection with a case filed against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The apex court also stayed a High Court order that granted ad-interim bail to Toufik in the case filed with Shibganj Police Station in Chapainawabganj in 2018.

A six-member bench of the Appellate Division of the SC headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the state challenging the HC order of bail.

Deputy Attorney Generals (DAGs) Bishwajit Debnath and Amit Das Gupta appeared for the state while lawyer AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon argued for Toufik.

DAG Bishwajit Debnath told The Daily Star that Rapid Action Battalion arrested Toufikul Islam along with few other JMB activists with arms and leaflets of organization while they were holding a secret meeting in 2018.

Rab filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 against them with Shibganj Police Station, he said.       

Following a bail petition filed by Toufik, the HC last month granted him ad-interim bail and issued a rule asking the state why he should not be granted permanent bail in the case, he said.

DAG Amit Das Gupta said accused JMB member Toufik has already been released from jail following the HC order of bail.

Toufik will surrender to the lower court after receiving the SC order and then the HC will decide about his permanent bail by hearing the pending rule, Mahbub Uddin Khokon added.