Bangladesh Khelafat Movement has strongly criticized the death sentence handed to Hafez Naeem Ahmed in the 2004 attempted murder case of Suranjit Sengupta. The group described the verdict as discriminatory and unjust, noting that while several BNP leaders and other accused were acquitted, only one Islamic scholar received the death penalty.

In a statement issued on Friday, the organization’s organizing secretary Mufti Sultan Mohiuddin alleged that remnants of the former Sheikh Hasina government still influence the state apparatus, which he said was reflected in this verdict. He questioned why an Islamic scholar was sentenced when others were freed, suggesting that the decision was made to appease India and ISKCON.

The statement demanded Naeem’s release and called for the verdict to be overturned to ensure justice. It also warned that a nationwide movement would be launched if the ruling was not revoked and urged for an end to what it termed discriminatory judicial practices against religious scholars and citizens.