SP Jahangir remanded over call to ‘risk one’s life for AL in December'

A Chattogram court has granted four-day remand to quiz Police Superintendent Jahahgir Alam over messages allegedly found on his mobile phone, which purportedly call on Awami League supporters to “risk their lives” in a fight to rehabilitate the banned party next month.

Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafa granted the remand after the prosecution sought seven-day remand, said Public Prosecutor Advocate Mafizul Haque Bhuiyan on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier in the morning, Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General Md Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury said at a press briefing that preliminary forensic examinations of two phones operated by Jahangir Alam revealed anti-state activities and conspiracies to rehabilitate the Awami League.

The political activities of Awami League remain banned for the authoritarian and repressive policies it enforced during its 15-year stay in power, particularly during the July-August 2024 mass uprising.

According to Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury, two messages found on Jahangir’s phones are: “the fallen government must be rehabilitated by December,” and “everyone must take to the streets in December, ignoring risks to their lives.”

Earlier, on Tuesday, based on a tip-off, the police questioned Jahangir, the superintendent of Chattogram Range Reserve Force (RRF), over his alleged role in anti-state activities, Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury told reporters.

Afterwards, the police seized Jahagir’s personal and official phones and sent them to the Special Branch (SB) for a preliminary forensic examination, which found the two messages.

Based on these findings, a report was sent to the Police Headquarters in Dhaka, which ordered a lawsuit against Jahangir.

On Saturday night, Ctg RRF Assistant Superintendent Abul Kashem Chowdhury filed a lawsuit against Jahangir with the Panchlaish Police Station in the port city.

A few hours later, Jahangir was arrested from the CMP Officers' Mess on orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Jahangir joined the police force on 1 December 2010. He is a 28th batch officer of the BCS police cadre.