350 sued over attack, arson on Chhayanaut

A case has been filed naming 300–350 unidentified individuals in connection with the massive attack took place at Chhayanaut Sanskriti Bhaban, Dhaka’s iconic cultural hub, late Thursday night.

Dulal Ghosh, chief manager of the cultural organisation, filed the case with Dhanmondi Police Station in this morning (December 21), confirmed OC Saiful Islam.

He said, "The case was lodged over vandalism, looting and an attempted arson attack at the cultural institution."

According to Chhayanaut authorities, a group of miscreants broke into the Chhayanaut building, vandalised property, set fires, and looted items following the news of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi’s death. The intruders smashed instruments, furniture, and other equipment across multiple rooms and even set parts of the building ablaze.

Financial damages are yet to be determined, they said.

The cultural pitch-side support came swiftly as Adviser to the Ministry of Culture, Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, visited Chhayanaut, reviewing CCTV footage and promising that the culprits would be brought down legally, just like reviewing a controversial play before calling it out.

A series of violent incidents reported across Dhaka, including attacks on media outlets and cultural venues following the death news of Osman Hadi.