Mamunul Haque and Khaled Saifullah Ayyubi, leaders of Khelafat Majlis, were formally charged in a Cumilla court on Monday for delivering provocative sermons at a program.
The charges were framed by Additional District and Sessions Judge Farida Yasmin after a hearing, confirmed defense lawyer Jasim Uddin Chowdhury.
Both Mamunul and Khaled pleaded not guilty upon hearing the charges, asserting that the accusations against them were baseless and fabricated.
The case stems from remarks made by Mamunul at a religious gathering in Joag Paschimpara area of Chandina on December 15, 2020.
Subsequently, police filed a case on December 17 against six individuals, including the event`s organizer and guests.
Mamunul Haque, who serves as the secretary general of Khelafat Majlis and previously held the position of joint secretary general of Hefazat-e-Islam, had been in custody since April 18, 2021, and was released after nearly three years on May 3. He faces multiple legal challenges, with at least 41 cases registered against him across various police stations.
