Constable placed on 3-day remand over leaking CMP chief’s order to open fire

A Chattogram court has placed police constable Omi Das on a three-day remand in a case filed over leaking a confidential directive issued by Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz through his official walkie-talkie.

Metropolitan Magistrate SM Alauddin passed the order this afternoon (19 August) after a hearing.

The investigating officer of the case had sought a seven-day remand for Omi Das. Following the hearing, the court granted three days.

Confirming the matter to the media, Metropolitan Assistant Public Prosecutor Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury said, "The court approved three days of remand after reviewing the police application."

Constable Omi Das was arrested on Sunday night from Chattogram's Khulshi area on charges of violating the Official Secrets Act. Police officials alleged that he unlawfully recorded and leaked sensitive communications of the CMP commissioner transmitted over the police radio system.

The leak has raised concerns within law enforcement circles, as walkie-talkie communication is reserved for secure operational instructions and emergency directives. Investigators are now trying to determine how the recording was made, whether others were involved, and if the information was passed on to outside parties.

CMP officials have so far refrained from disclosing the content of the leaked message, but said the incident posed a serious breach of internal security protocols.

What the directive said

On 12 August, CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz instructed all force members via walkie-talkie to carry firearms and use them against armed attackers if necessary.

"If anyone draws a weapon, whether a gun or a sharp blade, they will be shot. That's certain. The right to self-defence under Penal Code sections 96 to 106 allows officers to fire before an attack lands, at the head, chest, or back if necessary. Government-issued ammunition must be used to its full potential," he said.

The commissioner further instructed that no police patrol should hesitate to use firearms.

"In the situation my SI faced, no one should expect to return without leaving at least one body behind," he added.

"In the post-5 August period, there were several changes in police operations. Due to human rights concerns, some officers began believing they could not use weapons even if they were attacked and faced deadly harm," he said.

Referring to the 11 August attack, he added, "They could have decapitated my officer. God saved him. I reminded them that the existing law provides the right to self-defence. My force will do whatever is necessary to protect themselves and public property as per sections 96 to 106. No one will sit idle and be attacked."