Authorities confirmed that the explosions caused no casualties. However, the incident added to an atmosphere of fear that has gripped the capital following several days of political unrest and violent disruptions.

Sheikh Hasina, aged 78, is currently on trial in a domestic war crimes case. She faces charges related to alleged crimes against humanity tied to the government’s response to student-led protests in mid-2024.

The former leader has been living in India since August of last year. She left the country after being removed from power during a period of intense political upheaval and mass demonstrations.

The verdict in her case is scheduled for Monday. Officials and residents fear that the announcement may trigger a fresh wave of unrest, regardless of the outcome.

Dhaka has experienced a marked increase in attacks during the buildup to the verdict. Authorities reported that on November 12 alone, more than 30 crude bombs exploded across the capital and nearby districts.

In addition to the bombings, dozens of buses were set on fire on the same day. The attacks forced authorities to heighten patrols and impose strict security measures across key locations.

Police have detained numerous supporters of Hasina’s political party, the Awami League. Officials say the arrests were made on allegations of involvement in arson, explosions, and widespread acts of sabotage.

One of the targeted locations was a local branch of Grameen Bank. The institution gained renewed visibility after the appointment of its founder, Muhammad Yunus, as the head of the interim government.

A train carriage stationed at Dhaka’s central railway terminal was also burned. Images of the incident spread quickly across local media, further heightening public concern about the escalating violence.

The police and auxiliary forces have been placed on high alert. Security officials said they are working around the clock to prevent further attacks and disrupt planned acts of unrest.

Authorities have increased checkpoints on major routes entering Dhaka. Commuters have experienced long delays as officers conduct searches of vehicles and passenger belongings.

The city’s administration has announced restrictions on public gatherings until further notice. Events involving large crowds have been suspended due to the risk of coordinated attacks.

More than 400 personnel from the Border Guard Bangladesh have been deployed across the capital. Their presence is intended to support local police and ensure rapid response capabilities.

Residents of Dhaka say the atmosphere feels increasingly unstable. Many people have reduced non-essential travel and remain indoors after sunset due to safety concerns.

Businesses have also been affected by the unrest. Shops in several commercial districts closed early this week, citing fears of property damage and potential clashes.

Analysts say the situation reflects the broader political divide that has shaped Bangladesh’s recent history. Hasina’s long tenure in power and her abrupt removal have contributed to competing narratives about accountability and justice.

Observers note that uncertainty over the upcoming verdict is fueling tension. Supporters of the former prime minister maintain that the charges are politically motivated, while critics argue that accountability is necessary.

Human rights groups have expressed concern about the rise in violent incidents. They have urged authorities to ensure that security measures respect civil liberties while maintaining public safety.

The interim government has urged the public to remain calm in the days leading up to the verdict. Officials say they are prepared for any scenario and are coordinating closely with security agencies.

As Monday approaches, Dhaka remains on edge. The city continues to brace for possible unrest, even as security forces intensify efforts to stabilize the situation.

For now, residents wait for the court’s decision in one of the most closely watched legal cases in Bangladesh’s recent political history.
The outcome is expected to have lasting implications for the country’s political landscape and public order.

This situation also reflects a collapse of the justice system. A culture of impunity has taken root, eroding public faith in the legal system.

For the first time in Bangladesh’s history, an interim government has been formed under the leadership of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Many hoped this government would end political unrest and repression, ushering in a new era of good governance and justice. Yet, in just ten months, this government has become synonymous with suffering and disillusionment for ordinary citizens.

On July 9, 2025, in the heart of Old Dhaka, the brutal broad-daylight murder of a businessman was not merely a homicide—it was a stark, naked revelation of state failure. This failure goes beyond the cruelty of the act or the audacity of the perpetrators. It is rooted in the government’s silence, the inaction of the administration, and, above all, the arrogance of criminals operating under political protection.

The details of the incident expose extreme brutality. The victim, Lal Chand alias Sohag, aged 39, was a scrap trader. The murder took place around 6 p.m. in front of Gate No. 3 of Mitford Hospital on Rajani Ghosh Lane—at a time when the city’s bustle had not yet paused for the evening. Approximately 19 to 20 assailants arrived on seven motorcycles and surrounded him. They beat him with bricks, stones, and concrete blocks, dragged him through the street, stomped on his body, and celebrated with barbaric delight. Bystanders, terrified, dared not intervene. The killing was filmed and quickly went viral, sparking outrage across the country.

But this was not an isolated act of violence. It was a premeditated murder over extortion. According to local sources, influential leaders of the BNP’s affiliated organizations—Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal—had demanded five lakh takas in extortion from the victim. Upon refusal, he was murdered. The most alarming aspect is that despite political names being linked to the incident, no visible or effective administrative action has been taken. While a few arrests have been made, the masterminds remain untouched.

This single murder reflects the severe deterioration of Bangladesh’s law and order situation. But the broader statistics are even more terrifying. According to data from the Bangladesh Police Headquarters, under the interim government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, crime has surged at an alarming rate in just ten months (September 2024 to June 2025).

During this time, 3,554 murders were committed nationwide. There were 4,105 cases of rape and 12,726 incidents of violence against women and children. Additionally, 610 armed robberies, 1,526 cases of banditry, and 97 riots occurred. There were 819 kidnappings, five acid attacks, 2,304 burglaries, and 7,310 thefts. Disturbingly, there were also 479 recorded attacks on law enforcement agencies, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the state’s loss of control.

These figures are not just numbers—they are testimony to a historic failure of governance and a complete collapse of public safety. That such horror could unfold in such a short span does not merely indicate governmental incompetence; it suggests a troubling absence of political will.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus is a globally renowned figure. He earned the Nobel Peace Prize for empowering women through microcredit. Yet, under his leadership, this interim government has utterly failed to guarantee even the most basic level of security for its citizens.

People had hoped that this administration would eliminate irregularities, corruption, and repressive politics, and establish a peaceful political climate. The reality, however, is grim: instead of confronting crime, this government appears to have surrendered to it.

Even more alarming is how senior members of the interim government, particularly the press wing of the Chief Adviser, continue to deny the surge in crime, downplaying the justice crisis with shocking indifference.

In most cases, perpetrators are shielded from the law due to their political affiliations. Political influence over police investigations is so blatant that many cases are suppressed before any inquiry begins. Even the judiciary appears to be under invisible pressure, casting serious doubt over the possibility of justice.

This is not merely a failure of the police force—it is a reflection of a profound moral and political void within the government. The interim administration came to power promising to protect human rights and uphold the rule of law. Yet, its actions suggest it has become a guardian of special interest groups, abandoning the safety of ordinary citizens. How incompetent must a government be for a businessman to be murdered so savagely in one of the capital’s busiest areas in broad daylight?

This situation also reflects a collapse of the justice system. A culture of impunity has taken root, eroding public faith in the legal system. As hope for justice fades, people either remain silent or are tempted to take the law into their own hands. This is a dangerous trend that is pushing society toward chaos.

Citizens’ basic demands are security, justice, and accountability from the state. A government that fails to provide these cannot claim to be democratic or people-oriented.

Dr. Yunus’s interim government wanted to be seen as an ethically superior body before the next elections. But now, one must ask: How ethical is this government? A businessman was killed in the street, and the government responded with token statements instead of concrete actions.

International human rights organizations, usually vocal about Bangladesh, have gone conspicuously silent. Groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which previously condemned rights violations in the country, have offered no reaction to this alarming deterioration—as if law and order and human rights are flourishing under Dr. Yunus’s interim government.

In reality, police forces are increasingly accused of collusion with criminals, damaging Bangladesh’s image globally. And while mainstream media remains cautious due to fear of reprisals, social media is abuzz with criticism and outrage. Yet the government has offered no substantive response. Instead, it continues labeling these incidents as “isolated,” denying the depth of the crisis—an attitude that signals something even more dangerous.

What the country urgently needs now is an independent, neutral, and accountable administration—one that serves the people, not political or financial elites. Not just in Sohag’s case, but for every murder, rape, or major crime of the past ten months, there must be impartial investigations and swift justice.

The government must move beyond press briefings and acknowledge reality. It must immediately publish a clear roadmap to combat crime, ensure access to justice, and hold institutions accountable.

Bangladesh is no longer a poor, repressed nation. Its citizens are now aware, digitally connected, and demand answers. If those in power fail to act now, the people will soon hold them accountable in the court of history.

In the end, if even a Nobel Peace Prize winner cannot bring peace to the people, then that Nobel Prize becomes a cruel irony of history. And if this interim government cannot ensure even basic security, then the legitimacy of any future election or political process it oversees will be called into question. The answer must come now—not in words, but in action.

Author: Human Rights Lawyer; Laureate of the French Government’s Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders 2023; Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). You can reach him by email: shahanur.islam@jmbf.org; Website: www.jmbf.org