Four arrested over attack on New Gini Properties, Salman's studio

Police have arrested four people in a case over an attack, vandalism, looting and gunfire at New Gini Properties, a housing project near Dhaka's ECB Chattar, where content creator Salman Mohammad Muqtadir's BrownFish Studio was ransacked on 26 September.

The arrested are Shahriar, Mamun, Aslam and Munna, Cantonment Police Station OC Mohammad Gias Uddin said. New Gini Properties filed the case today (27 September), naming 13 people and 150-200 unidentified people.

The case alleges Tk1.42 crore in vandalism damage and Tk1.50 crore worth of equipment and other goods looted.

Attackers open fire, loot workers and studio

Several hundred people entered the five-bigha project around 11pm, according to accounts gathered by The Business Standard.

Construction workers said attackers beat them, took money and 16 mobile phones, while project staff said three or four pickup trucks were later used to remove laptops, computers and construction materials.

Md Nayon, a construction worker, said 15-20 attackers entered their quarters, beat several workers and opened fire. "They had pistols, ramda, sticks and machetes in their hands. They also fired many shots. We hid in fear," he said.

Another worker, Md Mirajul Islam, said, "Suddenly, we heard gunshots and came out. When we saw vandalism and gunfire all around, we ran for our lives."

A security guard said attackers fired at him when he approached as they vandalised the studio. He fled to an upper floor of a construction site.

At BrownFish Studio, two workers hid in a washroom as attackers broke in. Employee Ila said a camera, three lenses, four lights, four softboxes and CCTV equipment were looted, while the studio was damaged. The studio's two caretakers also had their phones and wallets taken.

Land dispute at centre of attack

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said a preliminary report found that people went to the site on behalf of the retired officer to take possession of the land and vandalised several structures, including Salman's tin-shed studio. He said Salman was a victim and that a detailed investigation was needed.

Police said the attack stemmed from a dispute over ownership and possession of around 35 kathas of land between New Gini Properties and retired Major General Golam Mahiuddin Chowdhury.

A detective agency source said New Gini had bought the land from Golam Mahiuddin, who allegedly retook possession after the change of government on 5 August 2024. The two sides later clashed over access roads, with New Gini allegedly refusing to leave a road through its development.

Golam Mahiuddin, accused No 5 in the case, denied involvement. He said 36 people bought 23.5 kathas from a cooperative in 2014 and later expanded their holding to 35 kathas. 

He alleged New Gini Chairman Nazim Uddin bought surrounding plots and tried to take possession of their land while refusing to leave them a road. Nazim Uddin Bhuiyan could not be reached for comment.

Salahuddin rejected Salman's allegation that the BNP is an extortionist party as a "sweeping" claim, saying Salman had not filed a case.

Salman disputed this in a Facebook video, saying he stayed at Cantonment Police Station until around 4am to file a case.

"Despite having every police station and the administration under your [home minister's] authority, you do not know that a case was filed that very night. Do you hold the responsibility for BNP's PR crisis management, or are you the home minister?" he questioned.

National Citizen Party Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary condemned the attack, recalling Salman's support for students during the July Uprising. 

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan also questioned whether there was an effective government.