Dhaka, Feb. 22 -- A Barishal magistrate has ordered a criminal case against 14 individuals -- including a former minister, police commissioner and returning officer -- over the alleged abduction and torture of a BNP activist during the 2018 election campaign.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zahir Uddin issued the order following a petition by Mashiul Alam Khan Palash, the joint general secretary of Barishal District Jubo Dal, confirmed Md Abdur Rahman, a court assistant, on Sunday.

The list of suspects includes former state minister Zahid Faruk Shamim, former police commissioner Ruhul Amin and former deputy commissioner SM Ajior Rahman.

In his petition, Palash alleged that during the 2018 election campaign, BNP candidate Mujibur Rahman S...