As a key figure of the 2007–08 “1/11” caretaker government, he served as the coordinator of the National Coordination Committee on Serious Crimes. He is being investigated for his role in the alleged torture of top politicians, including current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, during that period.
Staff Reporter : Masud Uddin Chowdhury, a retired three-star Army general who rose to prominence during the 2007–08 caretaker government, will face the consequences in case he is proven to be involved in torturing politicians following an investigation, police say.Shafiqul Islam, additional commissioner of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, made the statement in response to a question at a press briefing to announce his arrest on Tuesday afternoon.
Masud was known as the “mastermind Masud” of the incidents of torturing the politicians during the rule of the 2007–08 caretaker government, also known as “1/11”.When asked if Masud would face an investigation, Shafiqul said they would take necessary measures following an investigation.The police officer warned that whoever was the perpetrator, would not be “spared”.
“If there’s anyone who was violated, they have the right to seek legal help. Even if they seek legal intervention now, we welcome them,” he added.Although, when the DB chief was asked earlier if Masud would come under the DB investigation due to his actions during 1/11, he said: “We consider only those parts where he is involved in the particular case filed with us.”
He, however, pledged to “ensure justice” against all crimes and wrongdoings to continue democracy and uphold justice in the country.
DB detained Masud from a house in Baridhara DOHS on Monday.Masud served as general officer commanding (GOC) of the Army’s 9th Division in 2007 with the rank of major general.
After the political changeover sparked by the events of Jan 11, 2007, he was promoted to lieutenant general.Masud subsequently played a key role in the 2007–08 military-backed caretaker government’s hunt for “criminals” of different kinds.He acted as chief coordinator to a powerful government committee dealing with “serious crimes”.The committee was chaired by retired major general MA Matin, the then advisor in charge of the home ministry.
During the military-controlled caretaker government, he served as coordinator of the much-discussed National Coordination Committee on Combating Serious Crimes.But it was widely believed that Masud, working from behind the scenes, controlled and directed the activities of the joint forces, led by military officers who detained and interrogated top politicians and businesspeople and charged them with corruption.
However, at the press briefing, DB chief Shafiqul said the suspect was shown arrested in a human trafficking case filed earlier at Paltan Police Station.They seek to take him on a five-day remand for interrogation.He also said previously there had been several attempts to arrest him, but he could not be found.Referring to the former member of parliament Masud, he said that there are a total of 11 cases against him. “Among these, three cases are under trial in Feni district. As he remained absconding while the cases were under trial, arrest warrants have been issued against him by the court.”
He also said a total of eight cases are currently under investigation including three cases in Feni and five in Dhaka.The police officer added that multiple allegations against arrestee Masud are under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The cases in Dhaka are filed at Paltan, Banani, Kotwali, Mirpur, and Hatirjheel police stations.These cases involve charges of murder, attempted murder, human trafficking, and money laundering.The case filed in Paltan Police Station, which Masud has been arrested in, shows him the third accused among a total of 101 accused.
“These are old cases. It’s not that the police are not the plaintiff in any of them; in most cases, the complainants are members of the public,” the officer said. The DB Chief said, “Bangladesh Police is a professional organisation. We do not consider any individual or their position; what matters to us is their crime and their actions.”
