Published: 12:03 AM, 05 November 2026 Last Update: 12:03 AM, 05 November 2026
Sheikh Hasina's ex Information Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury detained
Detective Branch (DB) police detained Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former information adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, from the office of DBC Television in the capital's Mohakhali area, according to officials.
Crime reporter Rajib Ghosh was also detained at the same time, officials said.
DB Chief Shafiqul Alam confirmed the detentions, although details about the circumstances surrounding the operation and the reasons for taking the two men into custody were not immediately available.
The detentions have drawn attention because of Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury's longstanding position in Bangladesh's media industry and his previous role in the government. A veteran journalist, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury served as editor of English newspaper Daily Observer and was widely known for his involvement in the country's newspaper industry.
His career spans decades of journalism, during which he held prominent editorial responsibilities and became an influential figure in the national media landscape. His appointment as information adviser to Sheikh Hasina further elevated his public profile, placing him at the intersection of journalism and politics.
The detention of Rajib Ghosh, a crime reporter, alongside Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury has also raised questions about the nature and scope of the DB operation at the television channel's office.
The Detective Branch, a specialized unit of Bangladesh Police, is responsible for investigating criminal cases and conducting intelligence-led operations. However, authorities had not immediately disclosed whether the detentions were linked to a specific investigation or criminal case.
The police are expected to provide further information as the investigation or legal proceedings develop.
The incident comes amid heightened public attention to law enforcement activities and the treatment of prominent political and media figures in Bangladesh.
Further details, including whether the detainees would be formally arrested, produced before a court, or released, remained unclear at the time of reporting.
Authorities have yet to provide a detailed statement outlining the legal basis for the detentions.
