Khilkhet raid: 101 citizens condemn ‘moral policing’, demand release of 85 arrested

A group of 101 citizens has expressed concern over what it described as “moral policing” and violations of personal privacy and dignity following a late-night police raid on a residence in the capital’s Khilkhet, which led to the arrest and summary sentencing of at least 85 people, including 26 women.

In a statement sent to the media yesterday (25 October), they demanded the immediate release of those detained and sentenced, an independent investigation into the incident, and accountability for those who violated the law.

The signatories also expressed serious concern over allegations that those arrested during the Detective Branch (DB) raid were denied the opportunity to consult lawyers.

They questioned whose orders led to the raid, its purpose and the legal basis for the operation. They also called for an independent investigation into the decisions to arrest and sentence the individuals and whether the authorities followed due process.

Citing media reports, the statement said the arrested men were sentenced to 30 days in prison and the women to 15 days. However, the specific allegations against each individual and the evidence on which they were convicted remain unclear, it added.

The signatories said police were entering private gatherings under the guise of anti-drug drives and displaying the photographs and identities of those present to the media. They also criticised media outlets for portraying the individuals as drug users before their guilt had been established.

They questioned whether publishing identifiable photographs and personal information was necessary in the public interest, warning that doing so could violate the individuals’ rights to privacy, dignity and protection of personal data. Publicly humiliating people before establishing their guilt, they said, amounted to social punishment before trial.

The statement stressed that gathering in private spaces, listening to music, dancing or attending social events involving men and women together are not offences under Bangladeshi law. Personal disapproval of someone’s clothing, lifestyle or entertainment cannot justify state punishment, they said, describing such interference in private lives as “moral policing”.

Citing Articles 31, 32, 33 and 35 of the Constitution, the signatories emphasised the need to uphold the rights to protection of law, personal liberty, safeguards against arrest, and fair trial and punishment. They also referred to Article 43, which provides constitutional protection against unauthorised entry into homes and regulates searches.

The statement outlined four demands:

• Immediate release of the detained and sentenced individuals.
• Immediate provision of copies of the first information report (FIR), seizure list and sentencing orders, along with cancellation of sentences, release and appropriate remedies if a lack of legal basis or evidence, or a violation of law, is established.
• Action against the disclosure of detainees’ personal information, including photographs, videos and identities.
• An impartial investigation into alleged abuse of power and violations of the law and civil rights during the raid, arrests and summary trials.

The signatories said protecting citizens’ freedom, privacy and dignity was the state’s responsibility, adding that interference in private lives in the name of morality and collective punishment before guilt is established must end.

The statement was signed by 101 citizens from various professions and civil society organisations, including writers, academics, lawyers, journalists and media workers.

The signatories include Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda, lawyer and human rights activist Nur Khan Liton, activist and organiser Khushi Kabir, Professor Anu Muhammad, photographer Shahidul Alam, Dhaka University professors Tanzimuddin Khan and Kamrul Hassan Mamun, professors Samina Luthfa and Fahmidul Haq, Supreme Court Senior Advocate Sara Hossain, writer Rahnuma Ahmed, Kallol Mustafa, and lawyer and human rights activist Dilruba Sharmin.