More than 24 hours after Liberation War Affairs State Minister and Dhaka-6 MP Ishraque Hossain was accused of violating the law by brandishing a pistol during a planned, cinematic-style anti-drug operation in Old Dhaka, no action has been taken against him, raising questions about whether he is above the law.
Ishraque himself posted footage of Saturday’s operation, conducted in broad daylight, on social media, but Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) say the incident is under investigation.
His actions have drawn criticism from within the ruling party, opposition camps, prominent citizens and legal experts, who say even a licensed firearm cannot be used to intimidate people and that violations of licence conditions can attract legal penalties.
Ishraque has claimed that he legally obtained the firearm after the killing of Inqilab Moncho founder Sharif Osman Hadi in December 2025. However, in his affidavit submitted ahead of the February parliamentary election, he wrote “Not applicable” in the section concerning firearms.
Election Commission officials said the entry indicated that he had not disclosed possessing a firearm.
Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman questioned the state minister’s conduct.
“A firearm licence is for personal safety, not for apprehending or punishing criminals. When a state minister takes the law into his own hands, it amounts to an abuse of power and sends a message of distrust in the police,” he told TIMES.
Under the firearm licensing, renewal and use policies of 2016 and 2025, displaying a weapon to intimidate or harass people is prohibited except in self-defence.
Section 21 of the Arms Act 1878 provides for a maximum six-month prison term, a fine of up to Tk500 or both for breaching licence conditions where the offence is not punishable under another provision. Authorities may also suspend or cancel the licence.
Supreme Court lawyer Manzill Murshid said anti-drug operations were the responsibility of the police or other authorised agencies.
“Anti-drug operations can be conducted by the police or the relevant administration. If there is no issue of personal safety, anyone taking part in an operation while brandishing a personal firearm would be expected to violate the licence conditions. If genuine rule of law exists in the country, appropriate action will be taken over this incident,” he told TIMES.
Legal experts said the incident could not necessarily be described as a direct constitutional violation or breach of oath. However, they noted that a state minister takes an oath to uphold the constitution and laws, making his conduct open to scrutiny.
The controversy has also caused unease within Ishraque’s own party.
Two BNP joint secretaries general and two lawyers holding secretary-level positions in the party, who declined to speak publicly, said his actions had damaged the image of both the party and the government.
Opposition Jamaat-e-Islami leaders also criticised the incident as contrary to the rule of law.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad told TIMES, “A kind of chaos prevails throughout the state. This is one example of the government’s internal instability and its failure to enforce the law.”
Ishraque claims self-defence
Ishraque defended his actions in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Sunday afternoon and signed by his press officer, Mahfuz Kabir Mukta.
According to the statement, 30 to 35 people approached his motorcade in an aggressive manner, shouting and creating a commotion after he arrived at the scene.
Fearing an attack and concerned about the safety of lives and property, Ishraque and his official security guards briefly raised their licensed firearms in self-defence after getting out of their vehicles, the statement said.
It also alleged that the video footage was being circulated in an edited form that concealed the circumstances.
The controversy erupted after Ishraque posted footage of Saturday’s anti-drug operation near Gendaria railway station in the Dayaganj area of Old Dhaka. He later removed the video and issued the statement.
Attempts to contact Ishraque by phone to ask why he had not disclosed the firearm in his election affidavit were unsuccessful.
His press officer, Mahfuz Kabir Mukta, declined to elaborate.
“We are not saying anything beyond the official statement,” he said.
The video published on Saturday afternoon showed Ishraque getting out of a vehicle holding a firearm and chasing several people near the railway tracks.
Some of those being pursued could be heard pleading, “Sir, I haven’t done anything. I’m a poor man, sir.”
Ishraque was heard replying, “The police will come, then we will talk.”
Two privately appointed bodyguards, Tofazzal Hossain and Lavlu, and one government security guard accompanied him during the operation.
The footage also showed one person kicking another.
Ishraque subsequently shared the video on Facebook with the caption, “Ishraque in action.”
Police investigation under way
DMP Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam said the deputy commissioner of the Wari division had been assigned to investigate the incident.
Legal action would follow if investigators found any violation of the law, he said.
Police Headquarters Assistant Inspector General (Media and Public Relations) Kamarum Munira told TIMES that regular anti-drug operations were continuing, but she was unaware of Ishraque’s Saturday operation.
She said further steps would be announced after the matter had been reviewed.
Gendaria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Moniruzzaman said police were informed only after Ishraque had detained six people.
Police personnel subsequently collected the detainees following a telephone call to the station.
A white powder-like substance was recovered from them, but laboratory tests were needed to establish whether it was heroin, the officer said.
Earlier controversies
Ishraque, a BNP leader and son of former Dhaka city mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, has previously faced criticism over his conduct.
He drew criticism for allegedly behaving inappropriately towards party activists while visiting the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman to lay flowers.
Despite repeated controversies involving his conduct, no organisational action has been taken against him.
In May 2025, Ishraque’s supporters staged a sit-in and siege outside Jamuna, the official residence of then chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, demanding that Ishraque be sworn in as mayor and handed over charge of Dhaka South City Corporation.
In addition, after Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain became local government adviser to the interim government, Ishraque used his supporters to stage protests at Dhaka South, creating a deadlock in its operations.
