SI Jony Dey accused of assaulting students of anti-discrimination student movement

SI Jony Dey

On July 18, 2024, during the anti-discrimination student movement, former SI Jony Dey, a police officer at Shahrasti Police Station, was accused of attacking students participating in the anti-discrimination student movement. Local students are demanding a new investigation and arrest of Jony Dey.

SI Jony Dey fled the Shahrasti Police Station on August 5, 2024, when the autocratic government fell. It is alleged that he had previously formed a friendship with the allies of the then-autocratic government in Shahrasti Upazila. Md. Nahid Patwary, an active member of Kishoreganj, who was formed under the umbrella of Md. Imdadul Haque Milon, the president of the banned Chhatra League in Shahrasti Upazila, wrote in a social media post (archive link) while wishing SI Jony Dey a happy birthday, calling him "Happy Birthday Jony Dey Dada, SI Shahrasti Model Police Station, former student leader, Chittagong University Chhatra League." This post introduces Jony Dey as a member of the banned Chhatra League.

In addition, Jony Dey is accused of suppressing the opposition in the name of an anti-drug campaign. It has been alleged that the Shahrasti Upazila Awami League and its affiliated organizations used SI Jony Dey to file fake cases against Jamaat and BNP leaders and activists, harassing them and collecting huge amounts of money.

Investigation revealed that Jony Dey was an active member of the Chittagong University Chhatra League and also served as the vice-president of the banned Chhatra League in Narayanhat Union of Bhujpur Police Station, Chittagong.

According to the law of Bangladesh, police members are not allowed to have any political identity or affiliation. According to Section 34(3) of the Bangladesh Police Act, 2009, no police member can accept or exercise political influence. Section 36 states that if the allegation of political affiliation against a police member is proven, disciplinary action will be taken. Besides, according to sections 102 and 103 of the Police Regulations, 1943, it is prohibited for police personnel to be members of any political organization or to campaign on behalf of a political person.

In such a situation, students of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement have demanded the removal and arrest of SI Jony Dey. Students and locals are demanding an internal investigation, temporary suspension, final dismissal or legal action against Jony Dey. Analysts believe that such allegations need to be strictly controlled to protect the impartiality of the police force.