Ex-Cantonment OC Rakibul arrested in sedition case, police seek 7-day remand

Former officer-in-charge of Dhaka’s Cantonment Police Station Rakibul Hasan has been arrested in a sedition case over allegations of spreading anti-state and provocative statements on social media.

Police have sought a seven-day remand to question him and investigate the case, according to a press release issued by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Media and Public Relations Division today (24 September).

Rakibul was arrested in the case and sent to court. Police sought his remand for intensive questioning to ensure a proper investigation and uncover the alleged conspiracy behind the incident.

Rakibul came under scrutiny after an audio clip purportedly featuring him circulated on social media.

In the recording, the speaker allegedly made various comments about the government, administration, army and police, including allegations of political affiliations among senior police officials and financial transactions in the posting of officers-in-charge.

The recording also included remarks about former prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s possible return to Bangladesh, including the claim that “nothing will happen” if she returned in December and that police would not be able to stop her.

After the audio went viral on 17 September, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed issued an order withdrawing Rakibul from his post as Cantonment police chief and attaching him to the central reserve office under the DMP headquarters and administration division. The order cited “administrative reasons” for the move.

Several police sources had initially identified the voice in the audio as Rakibul’s. He, however, claimed in a Facebook post that the recording had been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

Rakibul was taken to the DMP Detective Branch office for questioning on the night of 17 September. The DMP also formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, the DMP appointed Inspector Mohammad Gias Uddin as the new OC of Cantonment Police Station on 24 September.