A video has gone viral in the last 48 hours from Uttarkhan, Dhaka, on the night of August 2, 2026. The administrator and his companion, introduced as a local government official, confront an aged person in grey hair in front of a garment factory. The gentleman, on their insistence, identifies as a partner of the factory and introduces himself as Col Zakir.
The two gentlemen charged Col Zakir as to why he had beaten their people. He politely asks if it seemed that he could beat up people. Colonel Zakir is seen to have remained composed in spite of all the shouting and instigation and replying in a low tone.
In response, the two gentlemen who introduced themselves as government officials shout back: "Do you know who I am? You haven't become such a big thing that you can do whatever you want. Did you think you founded the Awami League?"
Moments later, according to eyewitnesses, police detained the colonel and 22 workers and kept them in lockup without an FIR.
Does the administrator have any magisterial power to order arrest of an individual? What happened in Uttarkhan is a textbook violation of the rule of law.
Now let us see who can issue arrests. Under CrPC Section 54, 55, 59 and 151, only: A police officer on his own assessment of cognizable offense, or a magistrate under Section 44, or on a written order/warrant under Section 75.
Since a DNCC Administrator is not a magistrate and is appointed under Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009, Section 25A (as amended for interim government) as an administrative head to run routine functions, he has no power. Only the DC can empower someone as executive magistrate, and to that a gazette notification is required. So his shouting: "Arrest hobe, maamla hobe" -- is legally void. It is intimidation, not an order.
The next question is whether the police could arrest on his shouting. No. Under Section 149, 150 CrPC and Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB) Regulation 120, the police must exercise independent judgment. If police shoved and detained Col Zakir because the administrator said so, that is illegal detention under Section 342 of Penal Code and violation of Article 33 of the Constitution.
What should have happened?
If there was a dispute, the administrator could call the concerned executive magistrate or the OC of Uttarkhan police station to intervene. Police should have separated both parties, taken them to the police station, recorded a GD, and allowed both to file complaints. Detention beyond 24 hours without producing before a magistrate under Article 33(2) and CrPC 61 is illegal.
May we humbly request the administrator and the honorable MP to consider whether such behavior is congenial to the rule of law?
This is the sort of behaviour that July 2024 was against. This is "might is right" replacing "rule of law," When an unelected administrator behaves like a colonial magistrate, and police act like his private force, it contradicts Article 27 which states that all citizens are equal before law.
If a retired officer of the Bangladesh Army, who served the state, can be shoved aside on a political shout, what protection does a common garment worker have?
This is the culture we need to come out of. If government officials and employees had taken true ownership of their duties with efficiency, honesty, and patriotism, politicians would never dare to behave like this.
The truth is bitter: A large section of our political class lacks patriotism, honesty, proper education, and a sense of justice and equity.
This vacuum is exploited by a section of dishonest bureaucrats who collude with these politicians for unethical gains. And at the end of the day, the same politicians humiliate the very civil servants they corrupted.
We created this opportunity for them. The historic chance for nation-building was wasted. The profound sacrifice of July 2024 created the chance to reset the state which we are squandering.
The pledge of July -- to establish the rule of law - is being grossly ignored. The sacrifice of thousands of martyrs and the maimed is being betrayed.
A nation rises on patriotism, visionary leadership, and wisdom. But due to political disunity, short-sightedness, lack of patriotism, and dishonesty, for 55 years, we have been destroying our own country.
We do not learn from history. Just two years ago, we saw how students and the masses did not even give Sheikh Hasina time to finish her cooked lunch. She had to eat it in Delhi. Power is temporary. Arrogance is fatal.
Therefore, to implement the aspirations of July, all political parties must unite and exercise restraint. Government employees must take ownership of the country, and dishonest politicians cannot turn it again into a haven of corruption and plunder.
Otherwise, the fire smoldering under the ashes may flare up again. The common people will return to demand what they have wanted for 55 years: The rule of law.
Let this video be a wake-up call. If a retired colonel who gave his youth to the country is not safe from public humiliation, no ordinary citizen is safe anywhere.
Brig Gen Qazi Abidus Samad, ndc, psc (Retd) is a freelance contributor.