Ex-prisons DIG detained by DB over alleged anti-state activities

Former Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) of the Department of Prisons Sheikh Abdul Amik has been picked up from his residence in the capital's Siddheshwari area by plainclothes men identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch (DB) of police on Tuesday (21 October).

A joint commissioner of the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police confirmed that a DB team had visited Amik's Siddheshwari residence in connection with an ongoing investigation and picked him up. 

Besides, Amik's family members claim that around 7pm last night, several individuals entered Amik's home identifying themselves as DB personnel. 

They did not show any arrest warrant or official documents before taking him away. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown to them. 

Amik's wife said, "A few men came and said they were from the DB. They told him he had to go with them. When I asked why, they did not respond and just took him away. We still don't know where he is now."

Earlier on 9 October, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order to take action against Sheikh Abdul Amik for alleged anti-state activities. 

A copy of the order, signed by Deputy Secretary Hafiz Al Asad, has been obtained by The Business Standard.

According to the order, Amik, who retired from service on 29 April 2011, has been using his Facebook account "SA Amik" to carry out "provocative, false, and fabricated propaganda" against the prison administration and the government.

The order also states that he has been collaborating with prison officers, employees, and retirees to instigate unrest among prison staff and inmates by posting defamatory and misleading content against the Bangladesh Army, the interim government, and the Department of Prisons.

Reports further indicated that Amik allegedly played a role in inciting the prison unrest that occurred in 2024 at Bhola on 6 August, Pirojpur on 7 August, and Khulna between 7 and 8 August. 

His online activities were described as "planned and continuous attempts to spread false and misleading propaganda" against the state, the army, and the prison administration, thereby creating negative public perception of the institutions.

The order further mentioned that his actions contained elements of sedition and directed that legal measures be taken accordingly. Attached to the order were 93 pages of screenshots from his social-media activity.

However, family members believe that his detention may be linked to a previous defamation case filed against him.

"My father was an honest and fearless officer," said his daughter. He always spoke out against corruption and irregularities within the prison department. Now he has been picked up by people claiming to be from the DB, which is deeply alarming."

The family is preparing to file a general diary (GD) with the local police station regarding his disappearance. They have called for Amik's safe return and a transparent investigation into the matter.