Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain: 219 returnees sent to jail over ‘anti-state activities’

A total of 219 people, who have returned home from Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain recently, were shown arrested under Section 54 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) for their alleged involvement in tarnishing the image of the government.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Debbrata Biswas on Saturday passed the order after Shafiullah, an inspector of Turag Police Station, submitted a forwarding report before the court. The court also sent the accused to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj.

In the report, Shafiullah, the case's investigation officer, said the arrestees were convicted for different terms of punishment for involvement in offences committed in the three countries. But due to the pandemic, the respective governments commuted their punishment and sent them back. On their arrival, they were sent to an army-controlled quarantine centre for 14 days, but they divided in groups and attempted to tarnish the image of the government, it said.

After getting information about their activities, police immediately informed higher authorities.