Former DB Harun Finally Spotted

Since the popular uprising of students and citizens that led to the fall of the Awami League government, Harun-or-Rashid, former Additional Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB), has been in hiding. The controversial police officer has now been reportedly located in Woodland, Texas, USA.

Sources say that on 5 August 2024, after news broke of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaving the country, crowds began gathering at Shahbagh. Previously, Harun had been in constant communication with the police chief, but after hearing the news of Hasina’s departure, he gave no instructions over the wireless network.

• That afternoon, he reportedly climbed over the boundary wall of the City Corporation near the police headquarters and fled.
• That night, his exact whereabouts were unknown.
• According to police sources, he initially took refuge at an embassy in the diplomatic zone. His wife, having received a US visa through the DV lottery in 2006, allowed him to attempt escape to the United States. He contacted the American embassy seeking assurance of safe passage through the airport, but the embassy rejected his proposal.

Later, he returned from the embassy, and in the afternoon, a Counter-Terrorism Unit SWAT vehicle allegedly took him to a location near Mirpur, where he reportedly discussed a plan to flee via the airport. While attempting to enter the terminal, the public reportedly recognised him and he was beaten. Severely injured, he was taken to a specialised hospital in Dhaka. After this incident, his trail went cold.

Recently, Dilshana Parul, Joint Chief Coordinator of the Australia-based National Citizens’ Party (NCP), shared a photo of DB Harun on Facebook, claiming that he was seen in Woodland, Texas. She addressed expatriates in the US: “Expatriates in America, stay alert. Arrange for his immediate return to Bangladesh.”

Her post quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion and criticism throughout the country.

• Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Manch, shared the same photo on his verified Facebook account and questioned: “Who facilitated sending DB Harun, caught in Dhaka, to America?”
• S.M. Saif Mostafiz, Joint Secretary of the NCP, also shared the photo and posted on Facebook, tagging legal advisor Asif Najrul: “Even as advisors, how did DB Harun manage to safely leave the country for Texas after being caught in Bangladesh? What is the purpose of your advisory board?”
  He further added: “Regarding the Awami League, what have you done? Apart from holding a grand election, ensuring the safety of Awami League’s militants, and guarding their assets, what else have you allowed to happen?”