The BNP-Jamaat-backed interim government has again set an ugly example of influencing the court by granting the bail pleas of three BNP activists, who were arrested for leading the mob attack on former chief election commissioner and freedom fighter KM Nurul Huda during his arrest in Uttara on Sunday.
The culprits are Mohammad Muzammel Haque Dhali, the president of Dhaka North Swecchasebak Dal, its Uttara West unit General Secretary Md Hanif and Uttara East Joint Convener Md Qaiyum.
Of them, a team of the army arrested Hanif on Monday night, while the police arrested two others on Tuesday. They were shown arrested in a case filed by Uttara West policeโs Sub-Inspector Sajib Hasan.
On Wednesday, Uttara West police Inspector Md Nazrul Islam produced them before Dhaka Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sanaullah, but he did not submit any remand prayer.
On the other hand, lawyers for the accused prayed for their bail.
After a hearing, the judge granted their bail.
On Sunday evening, the trio led a mob to assist the police in arresting Nurul Huda, hours after the BNP filed a case against him and 22 others on allegations of election fraud.
They hung a garland of shoes around his neck, threw eggs at him, kicked him, and punched him, while one of the attackers hit his face with a sandal. Verbal abuse continued for the whole time.
Everything happened in the presence of the police force, which is unpopular for promoting mob rule since the July-August riots.
Nurul Huda was produced before a court the following day. He was remanded in police custody for four days despite opposition by his counsel.
Criticisms against mob violence and targeted attacks have been huge from local and international pressure groups. But the Yunus-led government pays no heed. As a routine step, the chief adviserโs office, the home adviser and the BNP have pledged action against the perpetrators. However, there has been no example of proper action in the past.
Awami League President and five-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vehemently criticised the government, the police and BNP activists for resorting to mob violence.
Many senior journalists have also condemned the attack on Nurul Huda and the culture of impunity for such medieval crime. They warned by saying that the current officials of the government, leaders of the BNP-Jamaat-NCP, as well as the armyโs top brass, may have to face a similar situation in the future.
Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, a former military officer, made a stern warning against mob violence on April 10, and Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman on May 22.
However, the situation has not improved slightly, with the human rights groups expressing concern as 172 people were killed in mob attacks in the last 10 months.
The case against the three former election commissioners follows an order by Yunus on June 16, when he directed the authorities concerned to immediately form a committee to investigate the role of the EC officials in organising controversial national elections.
Yunusโ aide and Electoral System Reform Commission chief Badiul Alam Majumder said all politicians have agreed that the matter should be investigated and those responsible held accountable.
30 eminent citizens condemn assault, urge govt action
Thirty noted citizens, in a joint statement issued on June 25, termed the assault on the former CEC a serious violation of human rights.
The citizens also criticised what they described as a passive role of law enforcement and the interim government, stating that this inaction is eroding the rule of law and violating the human rights and dignity of citizens on a daily basis.
The citizens said the attack was not only illegal but also deeply alarming in a country that upholds the rule of law.
They demanded the immediate identification and punishment of those involved, emphasising that taking the law into one’s own hands, regardless of the allegations, is both a criminal offense and unconstitutional.
The statement also called for a fair investigation into any accusations against Nurul Huda, ensuring accountability through due process and justice. The signatories expressed grave concern over the increasing trend of mob violence in Bangladesh since the July uprising.
They noted that such incidents have been occurring in Dhaka and across other districts, with little to no legal consequences for the perpetrators.
They also warned that the failure to take strict legal action sets a dangerous precedent, allowing mob justice to take root in society.
The signatories of the statement include Sultana Kamal, founding president of the Foundation for Human Rights Culture; Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori; Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB); Shireen Parveen Huq, founding member of Naripokkho; Rasheda K Choudhury, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE); Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation; senior Supreme Court lawyer ZI Khan Panna; photographer Shahidul Alam; Dr Naila Zaman Khan, director of Clinical Neuroscience Centre and Bangladesh Disability Foundation; writer and researcher Rahnuma Ahmed; Shamsul Huda, executive director of Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD); Salma Ali, executive director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA); Dhaka University faculty members Samina Luthfa, Zobaida Nasreen, Sumaiya Khair, Robayet Ferdous, and Tasnim Siraj Mahbub; Khairul Chowdhury; BRAC University professor Firdaus Azim; Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, executive director of COAST Trust; lawyer Subrata Chowdhury; Zakir Hossain, chief executive of Nagorik Uddyog; Saidur Rahman, executive director of the Manobadhikar Shongskriti Foundation; human rights activist Sayed Ahmed AlWadaei; researcher Rezaur Rahman Lenin; human rights activist Dipayon Khisha; Pavel Partha, director of Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK); Taslima Islam, acting chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA); and Hana Shams Ahmed, PhD researcher at York University, Canada.
Human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has strongly condemned the attack on Nurul Huda.
In a press release, ASK stated that such mob actions not only violate individual rights but also affront fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity.
“Even if someone faces serious allegations, the only legitimate route for redress is through constitutional processes and established legal systems,” the organisation said, expressing concern over the rising trend of public vigilantism, calling it a dangerous precedent that undermines justice, “replacing law with mob rule.”
ASK challenged authorities, warning that silence or inaction might imply complicity. It reminded the government that citizens’ rights to safety and due process are guaranteed under Articles 31 and 32 of the constitution.
It is noteworthy that between January and June 2025 alone, at least 83 people have been killed in similar incidents of violence at the hands of unruly mobsโa stark indicator of deepening lawlessness in what is supposed to be a civilised state.
While the army has issued one or two warnings, the government has yet to take any effective or decisive action against such organised violence. On the contrary, the apparent silence and inaction of the relevant authorities seem to be indirectly emboldening these violent groups.
ASK urged the government to take swift, preventive steps to stop such incidents from recurring, stressing the need to safeguard public confidence in legal institutions and curb “cultures of violence.”
HRFB demands justice
The Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation regarding the mob attack and harassment of Nurul Huda. They demanded a fair investigation and proper punishment of the culprits for the incident in a statement issued on June 23.
Any humiliating and violent behaviour occurring outside of the judicial system is not only a violation of individual rights but also a punishable crime under existing laws. Justifying mob violence in any way is unacceptable. “Instead, it is crucial to prevent such violence, maintain peace, order, and stability in the country, and uphold the rule of law.”
The HRFB finds the interim government’s immediate statement regarding the incident inadequate and lacking in responsible behaviour. The rights body demanded that the government clearly disclose to the public what legal actions have been taken against those responsible for this incident.
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