Sharing pics of dining in DB Office a nat’l-level mockery: HC

A High Court bench on Monday criticised the public sharing of photographs depicting individuals dining with Detective Branch (DB) police at their office in Dhaka, labeling it as a national-level mockery. The bench asked the concerned parties to desist from such actions.

"You pick up someone and take him to the DB office, then force him to dine with you. Don’t make mockery of the nation this way,” stated the bench.

The High Court bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon made this remark addressing the state side during a hearing on a writ petition seeking a direction not to shoot at students during protests.

The controversy erupted after the Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Detective Branch shared photos of himself dining with six student protest leaders. While he claimed the meeting was to address the students' security concerns, the move sparked widespread criticism.

The writ petition, submitted on Monday (July 29), sought a directive to prevent the shooting of students during protests and called for the release of the six detained coordinators. The petition also requested the release of relatives of the protesting students.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement announced a nationwide demonstration and protest rally on Monday, insisting that the movement will continue until their demands are met. 

Abdul Quader, one of the movement's coordinators, shared this information on Sunday (July 28). Another coordinator, Abdul Hannan Masood, communicated the same to the media.

The statement read, "I strongly condemn and protest the forced scripted statements of the coordinators at the DB office at gunpoint, condemning the sacrifice of hundreds of martyrs who were killed by government security forces and the attack of Chhatra League. We have been, are, and will remain steadfast in our demands."

Previously, the six coordinators in custody at the DB office announced the withdrawal of the movement's programme. 

Their written statement read, "Our main demand was the logical reform of the quota. It has already been fulfilled by the government. Now, I strongly demand the government to reopen educational institutions quickly to ensure a fair environment for education. In the interest of all, we are withdrawing all our programmes from this moment."