2013 Hefajat mayhem: arrest warrants issued against 13 BNP men

A Dhaka court today issued arrest warrants against 13 leaders and activists of the BNP and its front organisations in an arson case filed over Hefajat-e Islam's mayhem in May 2013.

BNP Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel is among them.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury issued the arrest warrants, scrapping the bail of the 13 accused in the case as they were absent during today's hearing.

The defence lawyers submitted time petitions showing different reasons for their clients' absence, but the court dismissed those.

Former Swechchhasebak Dal General Secretary Mir Sharafat Ali Safu and 26 others, now on bail, were present at the court today.

In the case filed with Paltan Police Station, Sohel was accused of instigating Hefajat leaders to carry out subversive activities in the capital on May 5, 2013.

More than 160 cases have been filed so far against Hefajat leaders and activists over the mayhem.