DB Chief Harun Was the Home Minister’s ‘Jinn’: Testimony of Former Inspector General of Police

Explosive Testimony by Former IGP in Court

A recent testimony by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, given before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka, has unveiled a range of sensitive and controversial issues. These include suppression of anti-government protests, enforced disappearances, secret detention centres, and the infamous “midnight voting” during the 2018 general elections.

The statement was delivered on 24 March as part of an international crimes tribunal case, in which Mamun appeared as a state witness. A copy of this testimony has now surfaced in the media. Currently incarcerated, the former IGP’s revelations shed light on key incidents involving the July 2024 mass uprising, the 2018 general election, and clandestine operations of security forces.

Close Ties Between Home Minister and DB Chief

In his testimony, Mamun stated that then DB Chief Harun-or-Rashid had a very close relationship with then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who affectionately referred to Harun as his “Jinn”. According to Mamun, the minister considered Harun highly efficient and politically instrumental in implementing the government’s decisions, essentially acting as the Home Minister’s right-hand man.

Political Decision to Suppress July Uprising

Mamun testified that during the July 2024 uprising, helicopters were used to open fire on protesting students and citizens—a move driven by political decisions. Nightly meetings took place at the Home Minister’s residence to plan suppression strategies. High-risk zones were divided and subjected to “block raids”, allegedly under orders from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“It was a covert plan,” Mamun said. “Helicopters were deployed for surveillance, shooting, and to create an atmosphere of fear. I later learnt the plan was executed under the leadership of RAB DG Harun with the military’s support. As IGP, I was not part of this operation. It was a purely political directive.”

Mamun further disclosed that lethal weapons were used following direct orders. He was told by the Home Minister that Prime Minister Hasina herself ordered the use of deadly force to quell the protest.

Officials Enthusiastic About Using Lethal Force

Both DB Chief Harun and DMP Commissioner Habibur were “overenthusiastic” about deploying lethal force.

Dhaka University Attack Under Political Orders

Mamun’s testimony also highlighted attacks on Dhaka University students by ruling party affiliate Chhatra League. The police allegedly played no constructive role and acted solely on orders from DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman.

He added that Obaidul Quader and Jahangir Kabir Nanak instructed Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders to act violently against the students. Pro-government intellectuals, journalists, and police officials were reportedly keen to violently suppress the movement.

Core Committee Meetings at Home Minister’s Residence

Between July and August 2024, core committee meetings to plan the crackdown on the mass uprising were held almost nightly at the Home Minister’s residence, beginning 19 July.

Meeting Participants:

It was during these meetings that decisions were made to arrest key organisers of the anti-discrimination movement. DGFI and DB Chief Harun were given this responsibility. Detainees were subjected to mental torture and pressured to issue televised statements retracting the movement. Mamun claims to have opposed these arrests.

4 August 2024: Two High-Level Meetings with Sheikh Hasina

On 4 August 2024, a day before the government’s fall, Sheikh Hasina convened two crucial meetings at the Ganabhaban:

1. 11:00 AM Meeting
   • Attendees: Law Minister, Home Minister, Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Force, and national security officials.
2. 10:00 PM Meeting
   • Attendees: Prime Minister, her sister Sheikh Rehana, Law and Home Ministers, Chiefs of the three forces, RAB DG, and the IGP.

Discussions focused on deploying forces and managing the uprising.

5 August 2024: Army’s Inaction and Government Fall

Mamun revealed that, as of 10:00 AM on 5 August, the police had a strong grip on the situation. But by 11:00 AM, when millions began marching into Dhaka from Uttara, the military refused to intervene. Field officers and forces were reportedly sympathetic to the protesters. By 1:00 PM, Mamun realised the government’s fall was imminent.

2018 Election: “Midnight Voting” & Ballot Stuffing

Mamun, who served as IGP from 2022 until the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, also discussed the controversial 2018 general election, infamously known as the “Midnight Vote.”

He revealed that then IGP Javed Patwary had advised Prime Minister Hasina to pre-fill nearly 50% of ballot papers the night before the election. Field-level instructions were issued for overnight stuffing of ballot boxes in favour of the ruling party.

Enforced Disappearances and Secret Detention Cells

Mamun detailed his experience as RAB DG (14 April 2020 – 30 September 2022), exposing the systemic practice of abductions and secret detentions.

• The “TFI Cell” operated under RAB Headquarters, located within RAB-1 compound in Uttara.
• Other RAB units also had their own underground detention cells.

He stated:

“It was considered normal within RAB to abduct, interrogate, torture, and detain dissenters in secret prisons.”

He claimed that direct orders for enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings (crossfire) came from the Prime Minister’s Office. Although he received no such orders during his tenure, he said some instructions came from security adviser Tarique Siddique.

Notable Case: Barrister Arman

Mamun confirmed that Barrister Arman had been held in the TFI Cell for a prolonged period, although not abducted during his term. His predecessor, Benazir Ahmed, had briefed him about Arman’s status during the handover.

Final Apology from Former IGP

In his five-page testimony, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun concluded with a heartfelt apology:

“In suppressing the anti-discrimination movement under government directives, the excessive force used by overzealous police officers—including shootings, arbitrary arrests, torture, and killings—fills me with shame and regret. As a former police chief, I sincerely apologise and present this statement to detail my role and the broader reality.”