Over 100 people break into Gulshan home at midnight to 'search for arms'

A group of over 100 people stormed into a house in Dhaka’s upscale Gulshan neighbourhood shortly after Tuesday midnight, breaking down the door under the pretext of conducting a search.

The group was led by BNP’s central transport wing general secretary Jewel Khandakar.

They claimed to be acting on information that the house was harbouring illegal weapons and individuals responsible for the killing of student protesters.

The crowd gathered outside the house near Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan 2 around midnight.

They alleged that the house belonged to Tanveer Imam, the son of the late HT Imam, who was an advisor to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to them, “a large cache of arms and money was hidden inside”.

However, after the search, they admitted to finding nothing.

Several television channels broadcast the break-in live on their Facebook pages.

Footage showed people shouting anti-Awami League slogans while ransacking wardrobes, shoe boxes, and beds inside the house.

Police were present at the scene but did not appear to take any action.

One of the intruders, who identified himself as Shakil Ahmed, said they were local residents.

He claimed they had information that Tanveer daughter, who was allegedly facing a case, was inside the house.

They also suspected illegal possessions inside.

Shakil said they had reported the matter to police and the army but took matters into their hands when no action was taken.

Md Abdul Mannan, the house’s caretaker and driver, said the mob broke in suddenly at night.

He and others tried to resist, but they forced their way in by breaking the latch and proceeded to ransack the house.

Mannan clarified that the house did not belong to HT Imam but rather to a man named Rahman.

Rahman’s daughter, who was previously married to Tanvir Imam, had been living there since her parents passed away.

The couple divorced in 2001.

Another man, claiming to be a bystander, said he entered the house only to record a video of the incident.

A leader among the group was giving instructions to others.

Reporters later identified him as Jewel Khandakar, BNP’s central transport wing general secretary.

When asked about the incident, Jewel said they received “intelligence” that Awami League members responsible for killing student protesters were hiding inside, along with a stash of weapons.

He claimed they first told the army, which directed them to contact police.

After police failed to respond, he and a group of 150-200 people entered the house to conduct the search.

However, by 1am, Jewel admitted they had found nothing.Around 2am on Wednesday, Gulshan Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Mokhlesur Rahman said: "This is the house of Tanvir Imam’s former wife. I have heard that they separated 20-25 years ago. A group of people, claiming to be students, stormed the house today, alleging that money and weapons were stored there. We suspect that some non-students were also involved."

"When we arrived at the scene around 12:30am after receiving reports, the group had already left after vandalising the house. They ransacked the place before we could intervene. We are still at the scene and will assess any losses or damages after speaking with the owner."

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gulshan Zone Md Al Amin Hossain said, "Some individuals broke into the house, claiming that allies of the Awami League were hiding inside and that money and weapons were stockpiled there. As soon as we arrived, they dispersed, and an army team also arrived at the scene."

In response to a question, he said: "Nothing significant was found inside. At the time of the incident, only three people, including the caretaker, were in the house. The owner was not present. No one was physically assaulted."

However, he confirmed that none of the individuals involved in the attack had been arrested or detained.