Chargesheet arson case within two months: Home Minister

Staff Reporter :

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday directed investigators to submit a chargesheet within two months in connection with the arson attack on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.

The directive came after the minister visited an art exhibition titled “Alo,” organised around the fire-damaged building of Prothom Alo in the capital’s Karwan Bazar area.

The exhibition, described by organisers as a reflection on resilience, displayed charred computers, damaged machinery parts, burnt furniture, books and official documents recovered from the site of the attack.

Speaking to journalists after touring the exhibition, Salahuddin said the investigating agency had been instructed to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry.

“The responsibility for the investigation lies with us, while the responsibility for delivering justice lies with the judiciary,” he said. “We have directed the investigating agencies and law enforcement forces to complete a fair investigation and submit the chargesheet within the next two months.”

The home minister strongly condemned the arson attack, saying calls for proper investigation and justice had been raised since the outset.

He noted that the incident had harmed Bangladesh’s international image by creating an impression that media houses could be targeted with impunity.

“Through exemplary punishment, we want to send the opposite message to the world — that no one can obstruct Bangladesh’s path to progress,” he said.

The attack on the prominent newspaper offices had drawn widespread concern from journalists, civil society members and rights groups, who demanded accountability and stronger safeguards for press freedom.