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Thursday | November 05, 2026 | Dhaka

Iqbal Sobhan Chy detained

DB says he was brought in to avert an undesirable situation
 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:02 AM, 05 November 2026

The detention of a the information adviser to deposed Sheikh Hasina has brought renewed attention to the role of influential media figures who maintained close political ties with the fascist Awami League government, widely criticised for its authoritarian rule and suppression of dissent.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) took journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury into its custody from the offices of private television channel DBC in Mohakhali on Wednesday afternoon. He was subsequently taken to the DB office on Minto Road.

DB personnel also took DBC Special Correspondent Rajib Ghosh from the same premises at the time.

Md Akhtar Hossain, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), confirmed the development.

He said DB personnel had brought Iqbal Sobhan in to prevent an undesirable situation and were talking to him.

The police official, however, clarified that it was not yet a matter of detention or arrest, saying officers were speaking to and questioning him.

No official explanation has so far been provided for bringing him to the DB office. It also remains unclear whether he has been shown arrested in connection with any specific case.

Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury is the editor of the daily The Observer. During the Awami League government, he served as information adviser to then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.