53 BNP men sent to jail

A Chattogram court yesterday sent 53 BNP leaders and activists to jail after cancelling their bail petitions in connection with 12 cases.

Metropolitan Session Judge Akbar Ali Mridha passed the order after Ali Abbas, joint general secretary of Chattogram (south) district BNP and 52 others appeared before the court seeking bail in the cases.

The cases were filed ahead of the national election last year -- accusing the BNP men of conspiring and committing subversive activities, said Advocate Fakhruddin Chowdhury.

Earlier, they secured interim bail from the HC. They surrendered before the court upon expiry of their bail term, the lawyer added.