Four arrested over Rabindranath Tagore graffiti incident remanded

A Dhaka court on Sunday remanded four people, including A N M Ayas, member-secretary of the State Dialogue Forum, in connection with an alleged attempt to deface graffiti of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore outside the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Joshita Islam ordered three days of remand for Ayas and Md Sakibul Hasan and two days for Sujon Mia and Marjia Khandaker Rimi, following a hearing on October 11.

The accused were arrested on Saturday after allegedly attempting to deface the graffiti on a wall in front of the academy in Segunbagicha. Police subsequently filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing them of criminal conspiracy and attempting to hurt religious sentiments.

Investigation officer Sub-Inspector Abdul Gaffar Himel sought a 10-day remand for the accused. During Sunday's hearing, the prosecution argued in favour of remand, while defence lawyers sought its cancellation and bail. The court granted remand for varying periods after hearing both sides. 

- MAL/MaT