Published: 12:25 AM, 28 September 2026
Police release 249 of 278 detained during JSD office raid
Police have released 249 of the 278 people detained during a raid on the headquarters of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) in Gulistan, Dhaka. The identities of the remaining 29 people are still being verified, according to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
DMP Motijheel Division Assistant Police Commissioner Sakibul Alam Bhuiyan told reporters at around 4 p.m. on Sunday that police were reviewing documents and lists of party members provided by Jasad leaders.
He said several elderly people were released after their identities were confirmed. Following the verification process, a total of 249 people were released.
Regarding the 29 people still in police custody, the police officer said their identities were also being verified. A decision would be made after the verification process is completed.
"We brought them into our custody safely," Sakibul Alam Bhuiyan said, adding that police had managed to take them into custody without any untoward incident. However, no case had been filed in connection with the incident so far, he said.
Asked whether Jasad had obtained police permission to hold the gathering, the assistant police commissioner said the party had submitted an application to the police, but permission had not been granted for holding a meeting at the premises.
Regarding reports that a group was attempting to take control of the JSD headquarters, the police officer said there was no possibility of the office being occupied by another party. "There is no opportunity to take over the office. The office is currently under our custody," he said.
The raid followed an incident on Saturday afternoon when leaders and activists of the Jubo Dal surrounded the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) headquarters, with allegations that a secret meeting of leaders and activists of banned outfit Awami League was taking place inside the building. They subsequently informed police, following which officers from Paltan Police Station conducted an operation at the premises.
During the operation, people found inside the office were detained and taken to the police station. Several prison vans arrived at the scene, and people inside the office were taken away in handcuffs.
Police said the operation was conducted based on information that leaders and activists of Awami League, whose political activities have been banned, had gathered at the Jasad office.
The police have not yet filed any case in connection with the incident. Officials said the remaining 29 people would be dealt with after their identities had been established.
The raid and the detention of a large number of people at a political party office have drawn attention in Dhaka's political circles. The incident has also raised questions about the organization of political programs at party offices, police permission for such gatherings and the broader environment for political activity.
Police said their intervention was aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing any possible untoward incident. Meanwhile, attention remains focused on the authorities' decision regarding the 29 people still in custody and the future of the Jasad headquarters.
The office remains under police custody following the operation, temporarily limiting political activities at the premises. Police officials said further action would be announced after the identity-verification process is completed.
