Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) has expressed deep concern and demanded a thorough investigation into the humiliation of former chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda, who was assaulted in the presence of law enforcement officers during his arrest from his Uttara residence.
In a statement issued on Monday, the legal aid organisation detailed that Huda was detained by police from his Sector-5 home in Uttara on Sunday evening before being handed over to the Detective Branch (DB).
BLAST highlighted that “videos circulating on social media and media reports show individuals assaulting the former constitutional post-holder and garlanding him with shoes despite police presence.” The organisation condemned this as a grave violation of human rights, fundamental freedoms, and constitutional protections.
Citing Articles 31 and 35(5) of the Constitution—which safeguard life, liberty, dignity, and property while prohibiting cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment—BLAST emphasised that such acts also violate Sections 323 and 325 of the Penal Code (punishing voluntary hurt).
“Publicly beating and humiliating a former CEC is not just a personal rights violation but a blatant disregard for the judiciary and a threat to collective security,” the statement asserted.
Separately, human rights organisations Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) denounced the incident in statements on Monday, warning that such acts “encourage mob justice and undermine the rule of law.”
Both groups demanded accountability for those responsible, condemning the violent and degrading treatment of Huda.