Habib Sarwar Azad, Sylhet Bureau

A case has been filed against 41 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associated bodies under the Anti-Terrorism Act for chanting the "Joy Bangla" slogan inside a courtroom in Sunamganj after a court denied bail to a Krishak League leader.

Sub-Inspector Ashraful of Sunamganj Sadar Model Police Station filed the case as the plaintiff.

On Tuesday evening, one accused named in the case was shown arrested and produced before the court of the Judicial Magistrate (Sunamganj Sadar Zone). The arrested individual, Abul Khair Sajol (son of Abdur Rahim from Brahmanpara in North Bordol Union of Tahirpur upazila and an Awami League activist), was detained on Monday while attending hearings for a prior case.

Sunamganj Superintendent of Police ABM Zakir Hossain confirmed the development.

According to police and court sources, Zillur Akhunji, vice-president of the Tahirpur Upazila Krishak League and an accused in a sabotage case filed in Tahirpur following the fall of the Awami League government, surrendered before the court at around 11:00 AM on Monday.

The presiding judge (Tahirpur Zone) rejected his bail plea and ordered him to be sent to jail. Meanwhile, the judge granted bail to other co-accused who had appeared in court and previously secured bail.

As Zillur Akhunji was being led from the courtroom to the custody room following the bail denial, several co-accused who had received bail, along with district-level leaders and activists of Awami League's associated organizations, grew agitated and chanted "Joy Bangla" slogans while leaving the courtroom.

The slogans triggered widespread panic both inside and outside the court premises. According to several lawyers, the decision to file the case was taken after video footage of the sloganeering went viral on social media and drew the notice of the government and the court.

According to a responsible source, the accused named in the case—based on the list provided by the court's General Recording Officer (GRO) for Tahirpur Zone—include individuals who had come from Tahirpur to attend hearings in the prior sabotage case, a minor, district Swechchhasebak League leaders, and jailed Krishak League leader Zillur Akhunji, among others. However, allegations have been raised that some individuals who left the court premises for Tahirpur, the town, or medical purposes prior to the sloganeering have also been harrying-fully accused in the case.

The accused have demanded that actual participants and instigators be identified through video footage and digital forensics.

Sunamganj Sadar Model Police Station OC Ratan Sheikh stated that the names of the other accused in the case cannot be disclosed at this moment as part of investigation and arrest strategies.