Police raids and detentions in Dhaka

In late September 2026, police raided the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) central office in Gulistan, Dhaka, detaining approximately 289 individuals. Authorities claimed the operation targeted members of the banned Awami League, while Jasad leaders maintained the gathering was a legitimate representative meeting and alleged they were assaulted by BNP activists. While most detainees were released, 27 individuals were imprisoned after bail was denied.

By late October, human rights organizations called for investigations into a separate police raid in Dhaka’s Bhatara area. During an operation at a residence belonging to an Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police, 84 individuals—including 26 women—were detained. A mobile court subsequently sentenced the men to one month in prison and the women to 15 days. Rights groups, including BLAST and HRSS, have raised concerns regarding the legality of these sentences, the lack of mandatory medical testing for drug consumption, and the alleged illegal circulation of detainees’ personal data.