Arrests in anti-discrimination protest cases will require 'permission from superiors': DMP

Arrests in anti-discrimination protest cases will require 'permission from superiors': DMP

The police also asked to present appropriate evidence regarding the incident in which the accused was involved in the case.

Reporter:20newsbd.blogspot.com

Published:12 Apr, 2025.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has said that permission from higher authorities will be required before arresting the accused in a case filed in connection with the anti-discrimination movement.

The police also said that the accused in the case will have to present appropriate evidence regarding the incident in which he was involved.

The DMP issued an office order with these instructions on Thursday.

The office order signed by DMP Joint Commissioner Faruk Hossain states, “In most cases registered in connection with the anti-discrimination movement, the number of accused is more. In these cases, the accused found in the complaint or investigation must be arrested with the permission of the higher authorities along with suitable evidence (victim-witness, video-audio still images of the incident and mobile call list or CDR, etc.).”

When asked about this, Joint Commissioner Faruk Hossain said, “We are always transparent. We are working to ensure that no innocent person is harassed and that the real criminals are not released.”

According to the police law, the investigating officer has the power to make arrests and submit reports in cases. However, after various allegations of casting assailants in anti-discrimination movement cases, the police and the government have repeatedly given instructions not to make arrests in Assam whenever a case is filed.

After the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in the anti-discrimination student movement, a flood of cases began across the country. In each of these cases, several thousand people have been named as defendants, many of whom have no connection to the incident, according to preliminary investigations. There have been more than 1,500 such cases across the country.

In these cases, allegations have been made that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as local leaders of the Awami League, have been named as defendants. In addition, allegations of trade in the case and the arrest of the accused have also been raised at various times. In view of various allegations, the police and the top levels of the government have said at various times that no one will be arrested unless he is an accused in the case.

On September 10, the police headquarters also issued instructions not to arrest any government official or employee without proper evidence.

The instructions also stated that if the initial investigation of the cases being conducted around the anti-discrimination student movement does not find any involvement against anyone, his name should be withdrawn from the case.

Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has also said at various times that arrests are not necessary only if a case is filed.

On October 5, at a function of the Armed Police Battalion in Uttara, he said, arrests are not necessary only if a case is filed. There will be an investigation first. Only if they are found guilty in the investigation will legal action be taken against them.