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A Dhaka court has rejected a petition seeking to file a case against former interim government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah and 25 others over the alleged vandalism and arson at the historic residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32.
Tamanna Chowdhury Priyanka, 44, filed the petition with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana on Thursday (August 20).
After recording the complainant’s statement at around 11am, the judge said an order would be issued after reviewing the documents. The court later rejected the petition in the afternoon, according to sources at the court concerned.
The other accused named in the petition include former interim government Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Environment Adviser Rizwana Hasan, incumbent lawmaker Nahid Islam, former adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, former press secretary Shafiqul Alam, former home secretary Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, former adviser Mahfuz Alam, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, lawmaker Akhtar Hossain, NCP leaders Sargis Alam, Abdul Hannan Masud and Samanta Sharmin, Dr Tasnim Jara, Ariful Islam Adib, Saleh Uddin Sifat, YouTuber Pinaki Bhattacharya, Ilias Hossain, Konok Sarwar, former Colonel Nurnabi, Tahreema Jannat (Suravi), bulldozer supplier Md Milon, Fahim Al Chowdhury and Abul Kalam Azad.
The petition alleged that on August 5, 2025, the accused, with the direct and indirect support, instigation and assistance of accused Nos. 1 to 9, along with 3,000 to 5,000 unidentified people, unlawfully assembled and attacked the historic Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32.
It further alleged that the attackers were armed with sticks, hammers and flammable substances, entered the building and vandalised and set fire to it.
The incident allegedly caused extensive damage to historical artefacts, documents, Liberation War records, documentaries, books and other valuable property, with some items also allegedly looted.
The petition also alleged that two bulldozers, excavators, hammers and other heavy machinery were brought to the site and used to demolish the building throughout the night. It said the structure was completely demolished by 5pm on August 6.
The petition referred to a Facebook post by Hasnat Abdullah, in which he allegedly wrote that “the pilgrimage site of fascism in Bangladesh will be freed tonight.” It alleged that after 9pm, protesters marched to Bangabandhu’s residence at Dhanmondi 32 and attacked, set fire to and destroyed the building using explosive substances.
The complainant sought cognisance of offences under Sections 143, 147, 148, 379, 380, 395, 427, 435, 438, 448, 420, 506 and 507 of the Penal Code, Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosives Act, and relevant provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The petition also sought arrest warrants against the accused.