A tribunal in Dhaka on Tuesday sentenced 14 people to death in a sedition case filed over the murder attempt on then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Kotalipara in Gopalganj in 2000. Judge of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 Abu Zafar Mohammad Kamruzzaman handed down the verdict. The convicts are Mohammad Azizul Haque alias Shah Newaz, Mohammad Lokman, Yusuf, Moshaheb Hasan, Anisul Islam alias Anis, Sarwar Hossain Mia, Sheikh Mohamamd Enamul Haque, Mafizur Rahman alias Muhibullah, Mohammad Azhar, Tarek Hossain alias Tarek, Rasheduzzaman, Abdul Wadud Sheikh, Maulana Amirul Islam and Maulana Rafiqul. Also read:Verdict in PM's convoy attack case to be delivered Thursday Of them, Azizul, Lokman, Yusuf, Moshaheb, Anisul, Sarwar, Enamul were tried in absentia. According to the prosecution, police found a 76-kg heavy bomb in front of a shop adjacent to Sheikh Lutfur Rahman Govt High School on July 20, 2000 where Hasina was supposed to address a rally on July 22. Another 40-kg bomb was also recovered by an Army bomb expert squad from near the Kotalipara helipad on July 23, 2000. Also read:PM's convoy attack case: 34 BNP men's bail petitions dismissed Later, Nur Hossain, sub-inspector of Kotalipara Police Station, filed a case under the Explosive Substances Act in connection with the incident. Besides, Munshi Atiqur Rahman, the then assistant superintendent of Police (CID), filed a sedition case. Three cases were later filed in this connection. Also read:Khaleda, her son behind Aug 21 attack: PM Police pressed charges against 15 people, including executed Harkat-ul-Jihad (Huji) chief Mufti Abdul Hannan, on April 8, 2001 in the sedition case. On June 29, 2009, police submitted a complementary charge-sheet implicating nine more people. Mufti Hannan was executed on April 12, 2017 over the grenade attack on then UK High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury at Hazrat Shahjalal Shrine in Sylhet in 2004.

A Dhaka court on Wednesday asked the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit a report on February 3, after investing a sedition case filed against Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh chief Junaid Babunagari over his anti-sculpture comments.

BNP will form human chains across the country on Wednesday in protest against framing of charges against party acting chairman Tarique Rahman and issuing a warrant for his arrest in a sedition case.

A Dhaka court on Monday asked the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit a report within January 7 after investing the cases filed against three people, including Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh chief Junaid Babunagari for their opposition to setting up of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s sculptures.   Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sotyabrata Shikder passed the order.   Earlier, in the day, two cases were filed against the three people.   President of Muktijoddha Mancha Aminul Islam Bulbul and executive president and founder of Bangabandhu Foundation Advocate Moshiur Malek filed the cases with the court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sotyabrata Shikder on Monday.   Two other accused of the cases are Islami Andolan Bangladesh Nayeb-e-Ameer Faizul Karim and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh acting Secretary General Mamunul Haque.   Hefazat chief Junaid Babunagari threatened to tear down all the statues in the country while addressing an event at Chittagong’s Hathazari on November 27.   On November 13, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Nayeb-e-Ameer Faizul Karim and Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Mamunul Haque opposed the setting up of Bangbandhu’s sculptures.   The making of a sculpture of Bangabandhu in the capital has recently stirred a lot of controversies.   On Saturday, an under-construction sculpture of Bangabandhu was vandalized in Kushtia.   Police on Sunday arrested four people, including two teachers of Kushtia Ibn Masud R Madrasah at Jugiya Paschimpara in the town in connection with the vandalism.   Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Khandakar Mohiuddin said the arrestees smashed the sculpture instigated by the speeches of Faizul Karim and Mamunul Haque.   Earlier in the day, the High Court asked the authorities concerned to take measures to ensure the security of all sculptures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman across the country.   On Sunday, a writ petition was filed with the High Court (HC) seeking security of all sculptures including those of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Supreme Court lawyer Uttam Lahiri filed the writ petition.   Read Also: Bangabandhu sculpture: Babunagari, 2 others sued for sedition

The Appellate Division  on Sunday upheld a High Court order granting bail to Chittagong University teacher Anwar Hossain in a sedition case.