Lockups – temporary detention centres within Dhaka’s four lower courts – handle nearly 500 accused individuals every day. Along with new arrestees, hundreds more are transported to these courts from prisons.
However, sources in police indicate a significant shortage of law enforcers needed to securely transport such a large volume of accused to attend court proceedings.
A total of 545 police personnel and officers are deployed in lower courts around Dhaka – Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court, Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, District and Sessions Judge Court, Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court.
Among those, 257 personnel are engaged in duties related to detaining and transporting accused individuals. When VIP or high-risk accused are brought to court, additional police are deployed from the Rajarbagh Police Lines.
The CMM Court lock-up has 143 police personnel and officers deployed, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court has 23, the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court has 67, and the Dhaka District and Sessions Judge Court has 24.
However, nearly five to six hundred accused individuals routinely appear in Dhaka’s lower courts.
Due to a shortage of police personnel, sometimes a lone police officer is seen escorting two accused individuals to court, elevating the risk of escape. Such incidents are not too uncommon. In recent times, courtrooms have also witnessed mobs, and lawyers assaulting journalists.
Escapes of three accused
On 22 October this year, Rubel Ahmed, an accused in a case under the Special Powers Act, escaped from the 10th floor of the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court on the pretext of using the toilet.
Despite extensive raids, he has not yet been located and detained. This was the third escape incident this year.
Previously, on 19 June, Shariful Islam, an accused in the Jisan murder case filed with Khilgaon Police Station, attacked a police officer and fled from the court premises.
On 17 February, another accused named Shahidul Islam escaped from the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court premises. He was later arrested by police on 1 October.
Police and court sources pointed out that personnel shortages, excessive crowds, and outdated surveillance systems are responsible for these escape incidents. A disorderly environment is often seen at the CMM Court, especially during hearings of high-profile or politically sensitive cases.
Reports of several violent incidents in the courts have emerged in recent months.
Mob assault on journos, chaos, theft
On 4 September, a group of lawyers assaulted a journalist from Somoy TV when he went to cover the bail hearing of journalist Monjurul Alam Panna. Monjurul was arrested in a case under the anti-terrorism act.
On 28 October, three journalists faced harassment by lawyers while attempting to record video. Later, the presiding judge threatened to send the victim journalists to jail, summoning them to the dock.
However, the journalists were released after offering an unconditional apology to the court.
In a separate incident on 6 October, a scuffle broke out among lawyers after hearing of a case involving an Awami League leader.
Court sources say attacks on accused individuals have also been observed at different times.
On 28 October, Khairul Bashar, chairman of BSB Global Network and an accused in a money laundering case, was attacked by aggrieved victims while entering the court. The attack took place despite the presence of police. Bashar had also been attacked earlier on 15 July.
After Sheikh Hasina’s downfall, attacks also occurred on former Awami League leaders Dipu Moni and Saber Hossain Chowdhury in the court premises.
Political leaders, activists, and supporters often gather inside and outside the courts, sometimes chanting slogans, creating a disorderly environment. Although, according to a 2005 High Court ruling, assemblies, processions, and sit-in programmes are prohibited in the court compound.
On 9 October, a young man named Md Rohan, 19, was caught red-handed while stealing parts from the private car of a judge of the Anti-Human Trafficking Offence Tribunals. The incident took place at the Dhaka Judge Court premises.
Rohan was subsequently handed over to Kotwali Police Station.
Md Omar Faruq, a driver of Special Judge Court-4, said, “Car parts have been stolen on multiple occasions from the judges’ parking area. We tried to catch the thieves several times but failed. But managed to catch Rohan red-handed.”
Currently, there are only 48 CCTV cameras in the CMM and Judge Court premisses, which is insufficient for surveilling such large compounds. Most entry points also lack security scanning equipment.
Besides, parts of the court area are now occupied by hawkers and makeshift shops. Some areas have turned into protest sites and markets. Theft and snatching are also almost regular occurrences.
A lawyer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Occasionally, when VIP accused are brought in, the court area becomes chaotic. Outsiders and intruders move about freely. This cannot continue.
“Strict security measures are needed to safeguard everyone attending court proceedings.”
Court sources say special security personnel are deployed only for VIP or high-risk cases. Journalists working in the courts have also demanded formal security arrangements.
Several officers from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Prosecution Division stated that several measures have been taken over the past year to strengthen the security of accused individuals and court staff.
When high-risk accused are brought to court, 10-12 police personnel surround them in a “box formation,” and from the gate to the court, 40-50 personnel form a human shield to prevent any attack or escape.
Inside the court, six to ten police officers remain beside the accused until the hearing concludes.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi said, “Authorities have become more cautious following recent events. Some intruders entered the court by disguising themselves as lawyers, which caused several unwanted incidents.
“We are now verifying everyone’s identity so that only lawyers can enter.”
Responding to query, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Prosecution) Mia Mohammad Ashish Bin Hasan said, “We are on alert to ensure that recent incidents are not repeated and are briefing all available personnel every morning.
“Additionally, senior officers are monitoring court premisses by making regular rounds. However, if the number of personnel needs to be increased for any reason, our high-ups will consider it.”
