A Dhaka court has sent 27 people to jail after they were detained during a police raid at the central office of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) in Gulistan. The arrests followed a larger operation in which police detained around 280–300 people.The court order came after police alleged that those detained had created a disorderly situation inside the JaSaD office while chanting “Joy Bangla” slogans. Police also said they were investigating suspected links between some detainees and the banned Awami League.Key HighlightsA Dhaka court sent 27 people to jail after the JaSaD office raid.Police initially detained around 280–300 people.Most detainees were released after identity verification.Police alleged that some detainees had links to the banned Awami League.JaSaD said the gathering was a pre-scheduled party meeting.The Home Minister said intelligence suggested a possible sabotage plan.The Awami League has condemned the arrests and criticised the action, according to IANS.Rights group Ain o Salish Kendra has called for an impartial investigation.What Happened at the JaSaD Office?Police raided the JaSaD central office in Gulistan, Dhaka, on September 26 after receiving information that members and supporters of the banned Awami League were allegedly gathering there.According to police, around 280–300 people were taken into custody for questioning. Their identities and roles were subsequently checked, with most eventually released. The latest reports say 27 people remained in custody and were later produced before a Dhaka court.JaSaD, however, rejected the allegation that the gathering was connected to the Awami League. Party representatives said the event was a previously scheduled central representatives' meeting and that police had been informed about it in advance.Why Were 27 People Sent to Jail?The 27 people were sent to jail under Section 54 of Bangladesh's Code of Criminal Procedure.According to the police petition, they were accused of chanting “Joy Bangla” slogans and creating a disorderly environment inside the JaSaD office. Police also said the detainees could not provide a satisfactory explanation for their presence and that there was preliminary suspicion of involvement in a cognisable offence.The court has scheduled a hearing on their bail applications.What Did the Bangladesh Government Say?Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the raid was based on intelligence information that Awami League activists had gathered at the JaSaD office and were allegedly planning acts of sabotage.He said the government did not intend to harass people at the office and that political parties do not require permission simply to hold discussions at their offices.The minister added that mobile phones recovered from the 27 detainees would undergo forensic examination. He said further legal action could follow if evidence of involvement in sabotage was found.JaSaD's PositionJaSaD has denied that the meeting was a secret Awami League gathering.Party officials said the representatives' meeting had been scheduled in advance and that the party had informed relevant police authorities about the programme.JaSaD also alleged that BNP and Jubo Dal activists entered the premises and assaulted some party members before police began detaining people. These allegations are disputed and are part of the wider investigation into the incident.Awami League Condemns ArrestsThe Awami League has condemned the arrests, according to an IANS report, as the 27 detainees were sent to jail.The political party is currently banned in Bangladesh, while JaSaD itself has not been prohibited. The government's position is that the police action was connected to suspected activities involving the banned Awami League, while JaSaD disputes that account.Rights Group Calls for InvestigationBangladesh-based rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has also raised concerns over the incident.ASK condemned what it described as an alleged attack and mob violence at the JaSaD office and expressed concern over the detention of 289 people. The organisation called for a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation into the alleged assault, violence and subsequent police action.The rights group also referred to constitutional protections for peaceful assembly and freedom of association.What Happens Next?The immediate legal issue is the bail hearing for the 27 people sent to jail. Police are also expected to examine the mobile phones and other information gathered during the operation.The competing accounts of the incident—including the police allegation of suspected Awami League activity and JaSaD's claim that the gathering was a legitimate party meeting—are likely to remain part of the investigation.Further developments will depend on the court proceedings, forensic examination and any additional evidence collected by authorities.
