‘Shishu Bakta’ Rafiqul indicted in Digital Security Act case

Shishu bakta Rafiqul Islam Madani under arrest. UNB

Dhaka, Jan 25 -- A Dhaka court on Wednesday framed charges against Rafiqul Islam Madani, popularly known as Shishu Bokta, in a case filed under the Digital Security Act for delivering ‘anti-state and provocative’ speeches.

Dhaka Cyber Tribunal Judge Ash Shams Jaglul Hossain framed the charge and fixed February 22 for recording the statements of the witnesses.

The formal trial in the case has started with the  framing of charges.

RAB members arrested Rafiqul from his home in Netrakona on April 7 last year on charges of making anti-state and provocative remarks and creating chaos.

On April 8 last year, a case was filed against Rafiqul under the Digital Security Act at Gachha police station in Gazipur.

Later on April 11 of the year, another case was filed under the Digital Security Act at Basan Police Station in Gazipur.

However, Rafiqul Islam was granted bail by the High Court in a case filed under the Explosive Substances  Act at Kotwali Police Station in Mymensingh on September 30.

Earlier, Madadi was arrested on March 25 in 2021 from Motijheel area during a demonstration protesting the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Independence and later he was freed.

Rafiqul, also director of Saoatul Hera Madrasha at Paschim Bilashpur in Netrakona district, reportedly delivered ‘provocative’ speech in a Waj Mahfil at Gachha.

He is also assistant vice president of Jubo Jamiat, a wing of Jamiat-e-Ulama- Islam, of Netrakona. - UNB