The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police has confirmed that the voice in a viral audio belongs to former Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Cantonment Police Station Md Rakibul Hasan, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) chief Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said Wednesday.
Shafiqul Islam shared the information in response to a journalist’s question at a press conference at the DMP Media Center.
The DB chief said former Cantonment Police Station OC Rakibul Hasan was brought in on remand and questioned about the viral conversation. His voice was then tested, confirming that the voice heard in the audio was his.
He said the audio was not created or fabricated in any other way. However, the context in which the conversation took place, where it happened and with whom remains under investigation.
Shafiqul Islam said court permission had been obtained to collect Rakibul Hasan’s voice sample for testing. The sample was then examined through the CID, which confirmed the voice in the audio.
Asked whether Rakibul Hasan had leaked or shared any information with anyone, the DB chief said the matter was still under investigation.
He said: “This can't be said without reaching a conclusion. We will investigate the other questions that remain.”
Earlier, on the night of September 24, former Cantonment Police Station OC Mohammad Rakibul Hasan was arrested from the Rajarbagh area of the capital. He was then questioned on remand in 2 phases.
On September 27, responding to journalists at the Secretariat, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said links between former Cantonment Police Station OC Rakibul Hasan and the Awami League, whose activities have been banned, had been found.
In the viral audio, Rakibul Hasan can be heard saying: “Nothing will happen if Sheikh Hasina returns to the country in December.”
He also says: “Since the street police are so weak, she should come to the country this very month rather than wait until December.”
The audio also contains the statement: “The police can't do anything.”