Police Raid Former Education Minister Mahibul’s House in Chittagong, Seven Arrested

In connection with the July mass uprising that led to the ousting of the Awami League government, police have raided the residence of former Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury in Chittagong. Seven individuals were arrested during the operation. Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury is the eldest son of the late ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, the former mayor of Chittagong City Corporation.

The raid took place on Wednesday at around 3:30 PM in the Chasma Hill area near Gate No. 2 in the city. Officers from the Five Lane Police Station carried out the operation. However, the identities of those arrested have not yet been disclosed. Following the raid, police seized the DVR box from the house’s CCTV cameras for further investigation.

According to the police, a Facebook post had indicated that several individuals were gathering at Mahibul’s residence to participate in a banned Awami League programme scheduled for Thursday, 13 November. This post served as the basis for the police operation.

Police also mentioned that Mahibul Hasan’s younger brother, Borhan, and BNP leader Niyaz previously ran a restaurant called ‘Café Milano’ in the Gate No. 2 area. The restaurant has been closed since 5 August of the previous year, but it is still operating online for food deliveries. The seven individuals arrested are believed to have worked at the restaurant.

Mohammad Solaiman, the officer-in-charge of the Five Lane Police Station, told reporters, “We received a Facebook post indicating that some people were gathering here for the 13 November programme. The post also mentioned that food supplies were being brought in from outside for those assembling. However, we did not find any evidence of this. The individuals arrested are being taken to the police station for further questioning.”