Charges in Hefazat’s 5 May cases to be framed based on evidence: DB

More than 50 cases filed over the mayhem caused by Hefazat-e-Islam at Shapla Chattar in the capital's Motijheel in 2013 are yet to be disposed of.

Even though several people have been arrested in these cases, charge sheets could not be framed due to a lack of necessary evidence.

As a result, most of the cases have not yet gone to trial.

AKM Hafiz Akter, additional commissioner (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), however, said all the cases filed in connection with the Shapla Chattar incident will be settled on the basis of evidence.

Besides, if attempts are made to carry out such incidents again, appropriate action will be taken to thwart them, he added.

Hafiz Akter was briefing journalists at his office on Mintu Road in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.

He said even if it takes some time to collect necessary evidence, no one involved with the incident will be exempted. Again, no innocent person will be brought under the law, he added.

Asked about the meeting between the Hefazat leaders and the home minister in which Hefazat requested for stopping the arrest of Hefazat men and releasing the arrestees over the 2013 Shapla Chattar mayhem cases, AKM Hafiz Akter said, "We don't know what the Hefazat leaders said to the home minister.But, there are instructions to take action only against those who were involved or can be found involved with the incident."

He further added that the Bangladesh visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the golden jubilee of the country's independence was also marred by massive sabotage at the Baitul Mukarram national mosque.

"Capitalising on it, rumours were spread and mayhem created in Chattogram and Brahmanbaria, Narayanganj, Sylhet and many other districts. Video footage is being used to identify those involved. Those arrested are being placed on remand and interrogated.

"Action is also being taken against those who provoked the saboteurs. They will be brought to book. Even in these cases, care is being taken so that no innocent person is punished."

On 5 May 2013, Hefazat leaders and activists carried out a massive sabotage in the name of a sit-in programme at Shapla Chattar. The next day, Hefazat men clashed with police in different parts of the country, including Chattogram's Hathazari, Narayanganj and Bagerhat.

Over the incident, 53 cases of sabotage were filed in Dhaka alone. Of these, charge sheets have been framed only in 4 cases. Out of the remaining 49 cases, 34 are being investigated by thana police and 15 by the Detective Branch.