Retired Major General Golam Mahiuddin arrested over New Gini attack

Retired Major General Golam Mahiuddin Chowdhury has been arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) in connection with the attack, vandalism and looting at New Gini Properties in the capital’s ECB Chattar area, where content creator Salman Muqtadir’s Brownfish Studio was also damaged.

A DB team from its Gulshan division arrested Golam Mahiuddin from a residence in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, around 2:45pm on Wednesday (September 30), said DMP Detective Branch chief Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam.

Golam Mahiuddin is the fourth named accused in a case filed with Cantonment Police Station on September 27 over the attack. The case names 13 people and includes charges under several sections of the Penal Code, including rioting, unlawful assembly, trespass, assault, attempted murder, theft and vandalism.

Police and the DB had earlier arrested six other suspects in connection with the incident, according to officials.

The attack took place at the New Gini Properties housing project near ECB Chattar on September 26. A large group allegedly entered the compound, vandalised several structures and looted property. Brownfish Studio, which Salman had set up after renting space at the project, was among the facilities damaged.

Police have said the incident appears to have stemmed from a longstanding dispute over land ownership and possession involving New Gini Properties and other landowners. The precise motive and circumstances remain under investigation.

The case was filed by New Gini Properties director Saiful Islam Bhuiyan. The investigation is continuing, with law enforcement pursuing the remaining accused named in the case.