Dhaka, Dec. 11 -- Shaukat Mahmood, a former Jatiya Press Club president and Janata Party Bangladesh general secretary, has denied allegations levelled against him for trying to "topple the interim government through conspiracies".

He made the comment during his remand hearing at a Dhaka court on Thursday.

"We wanted the current government. After coming to power, the government withdrew 60 cases I had been accused in. Why should I plan to topple this government? This allegation is unbelievable," Shaukat told the court.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Fahmina Khandakar Anna granted police five days to interrogate Shaukat in their custody.

The prosecution had objected to Shaukat speaking to the court. The judge allowed the journalist union...