A Dhaka court on Thursday placed Iftekhar Anik on a five-day remand in a case filed over alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Islam on Facebook.
Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Tajul Islam Sohag passed the order after South Keraniganj police sought seven days’ remand for the accused.
Sub-Inspector Md Arif Hossain of the prosecution division confirmed the matter.
No lawyer appeared for Anik during the remand hearing.
According to the case documents, Anik, son of Md Alam of Ikuria in South Keraniganj, allegedly made several Facebook posts and comments from an account named “Iftekhar Anik” that hurt religious sentiments.
The complainant came across the alleged posts on August 27 and informed local residents.
The case statement says several locals later went to Anik’s house to question him. At one point, he allegedly tore religious books in front of them before fleeing the scene.
Md Arifuzzaman later filed the case with South Keraniganj Police Station under relevant provisions of the Cyber Security Act and the Penal Code.
Police arrested Anik from the Kolatoli area of Cox’s Bazar on the night of August 29 with assistance from local police.
During preliminary questioning, police said Anik admitted his involvement. Based on information provided by him, police later seized a Motorola smartphone and an HP laptop from his house.
Investigators sought his remand to further investigate the allegations, establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether others were involved.
Meanwhile, several hundred people gathered outside the court from the morning, demanding punishment for the accused.
The protesters chanted slogans and carried banners, festoons and placards.
