Armed group attempts to occupy Adabor house

An armed group allegedly attempted to reoccupy an eight-storey house in Dhaka's Adabor yesterday morning (26 September), six months after its original owner regained possession following a legal battle over an earlier occupation.

Relatives of house owner Aminur Rahman alleged that 15-20 people carrying machetes, cleavers and a pistol arrived at the house in Shyamoli Housing around 6:30am and demanded that the residents leave.

When the gate remained closed, they allegedly shouted, "Give us our money. You live in the house but won't pay? Come out," before attacking the main gate and smashing windows.

CCTV footage obtained by The Business Standard shows two men striking the gate with machetes before another threw a stone at a camera. The attackers then damaged both cameras, while pieces of brick were used to smash two more second-floor windows. They left after failing to enter the house.

Monir Hossain, nephew of Aminur Rahman, said four attackers approached the gate, including two carrying cleavers, one a machete and another a pistol. The pistol-wielding man was directing the others, he alleged.

Monir said he called 999 during the attack, but police arrived around 9:45am, nearly three hours later, according to his account. Adabor Police Station OC Zahidul Islam said police inspected the house and were investigating the incident.

Monir alleged that Khorshed Alam had previously occupied the house on 17 August 2024. After a police complaint failed to resolve the matter, the family went to court.

Following a court order, the Police Bureau of Investigation investigated the case for about four months and submitted a charge sheet. The family regained possession on 12 March this year.

Monir alleged that Saturday's attackers were people of Khorshed Alam who had returned to try to occupy the property again.