Case Filed Over Attack on Prothom Alo Office

A formal case has been registered at Tejgaon Police Station in Dhaka against an estimated 400 to 500 unidentified individuals in connection with the violent attack on the Prothom Alo office. The case was officially lodged at 12:10 a.m. on Sunday, invoking provisions under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Special Powers Act, and relevant cyber security laws.

The incident occurred late Thursday night when a group of assailants forcefully entered Prothom Alo’s Karwan Bazar premises. Eyewitnesses reported widespread vandalism, looting, and deliberate arson, causing severe damage to the office’s infrastructure. According to police statements, the attackers intended not only to destroy property but also to instil fear among employees and disrupt daily operations.

Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately BDT 25 million worth of assets were stolen or damaged during the attack. However, Prothom Alo sources have assessed the total loss at nearly BDT 320 million. For the first time in its 27-year history, the newspaper was forced to suspend its print edition, while its online platform remained inaccessible for around 17 hours.

The case details reveal that an initial group of 20–30 individuals, armed with sticks, domestic weapons, and incendiary materials, advanced towards the office. Despite police vigilance, they gathered outside, chanting provocative slogans and spreading incendiary messages via social media to rally further support. Subsequently, an estimated 400–500 additional people converged on the office from various parts of Dhaka. At approximately 11:50 p.m., the mob smashed the main gate’s glass and shutters, carrying out extensive looting, vandalism, and arson.

The attackers destroyed furniture, important documents, and electronic equipment, deliberately obstructed fire services, and attempted to erase evidence by damaging CCTV cameras. Law enforcement has collected CCTV footage and video recordings from various media outlets, which will serve as crucial evidence during the investigation.

Authorities have stressed that all legal measures will be pursued to ensure the perpetrators face justice. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation, highlighting a serious affront to press freedom in Bangladesh and the fundamental principles of the rule of law. The government and civil society alike have underscored the imperative to protect media institutions from such violent disruptions in the future.