A court has ordered the release of Tahmina Akter, who was arrested for chanting ‘Joy Bangla’ while paying tribute at the National Martyrs' Memorial on Independence Day, after police found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Sub-Inspector Abdul Muktalib of the Detective Branch (DB), Dhaka (South), submitted a report on Wednesday stating that no allegations could be established against her. Senior Judicial Magistrate Afroza Sultana accepted the report and ordered Tahmina’s release.
SI Obaidur Rahman of the prosecution confirmed the matter.
In the report, Abdul Muktalib said Tahmina Akter, a mother of three, lives in rented accommodation in Dhaka while her husband resides abroad. He noted that her relationship with her husband is strained and that she is disconnected from her parents and family.
According to the report, on March 26, an unidentified individual affiliated with Awami League allegedly misled her into going to the memorial in Savar. It was claimed that she was asked to lay a wreath in support of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, and to chant slogans including ‘Joy Bangla’, for the purpose of social media promotion.
The report further stated that Tahmina was unaware of the current political context and was not affiliated with any political party. It found no indication of involvement in anti-state or subversive activities, and no specific evidence linking her to any offence. Therefore, the DB sought her discharge from liability under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Tahmina was detained by police around 11:30am on March 26 in front of the memorial’s fountain, along with her three children. Her bail petition was rejected the following day, and she was sent to jail under Section 151. Another bail plea was also denied on Monday.
Following the DB’s recommendation for her discharge, the court has now ordered her release. Her lawyer, Jahangir Alam, said the release order has been issued and expressed hope that she would be freed on Thursday.
