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A Dhaka court on Wednesday placed Indian national Rabiul Islam on a four-day remand over suspected links to sabotage activities in the capital.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana passed the order after a hearing on a seven-day remand petition filed by the Detective Branch (DB) of police.
Rabiul was detained by police from Sector 11 in Uttara around 3am on Monday. He was later shown arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
DB Sub-Inspector Binoy Kumar Roy of the Ramna Zone’s Illegal Arms and Narcotics Recovery Team sought the remand for questioning.
According to the remand petition, Rabiul has been staying in Bangladesh since September 14 and his activities appeared suspicious to DB officials.
Police said Rabiul identified himself as an Indian citizen by producing a passport. His Indian passport, driving licence and national identity card were subsequently checked, the petition said.
During the hearing, Rabiul denied any involvement in sabotage or any connection with India’s intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
“I have done nothing that warrants my arrest. I have visited Bangladesh many times and have many friends here. I am involved in the garment business,” he told reporters while being taken to the courtroom.
He also claimed that police had found nothing against him and that he was being unnecessarily harassed.
During the hearing, Magistrate Jewel Rana asked Rabiul when he had arrived in Bangladesh. He replied that he had come to Dhaka on September 14.
Asked about his occupation, Rabiul said he frequently travelled to Bangladesh and helped friends involved in the garment business by overseeing shipments.
The judge then asked the investigating officer whether Rabiul had a valid visa. The officer replied that he did.
The investigator, however, told the court that the dates of birth on Rabiul’s national identity card and driving licence did not match and that he had allegedly given inconsistent answers during questioning.
Following the hearing, the court granted four days’ remand.
The allegations against Rabiul have not been proven in court.