A Sunamganj court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of 98 accused, including UP member Shahidul Islam Swadhin, in a case filed over attacks on Hindu homes and temples at Shalla upazila on March 17, 2021.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Abdur Rahim sent them to prison after rejecting their bail plea.
A charge sheet naming 186 people was submitted to the court, in a case filed by Habibpur UP Chairman Vivekananda Majumder. Of them, 52 were granted permanent bail, while 40 accused are currently at large.
Aminul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) at Shalla police station, said two cases were filed against more than 150 unnamed individuals, including Shahidul Islam Swadhin.
On January 9, a Sumanganj court sent 49 people to jail after they surrendered.
On March 15, 2021, former Hefazat chief Junaid Babunagari, joint secretary general Mamunul Haque and other central leaders attended a conference in Derai upazila organized by the radical Islamist group.
Enraged by Mamunul Haque's speech at the conference, Jhuman Das Apan, of Noagaon village, allegedly created a Facebook post on March 16 criticizing Mamunul, who earlier had opposed the installation of a sculpture of Bangabandhu.
Mamunul's supporters brought out a procession in the area on the night of March 16, accusing the Hindu man of hurting religious sentiments.
Jhuman was detained the same night to calm the Hefazat supporters.
In the morning on March 17, thousands of Mamunul's followers from Kashipur, Nachni, Chandipur and other villages inhabited by Muslims swooped on Noagaon village with sticks and locally made weapons.
They damaged 89 houses, eight temples and looted valuables as the residents fled the village.
Meanwhile, Shalla police initiated a case against Jhuman Das on March 25 under the Digital Security Act.
He obtained bail for one year on September 23.