The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has yet to complete its investigation into the attack, vandalism, looting and arson at the Prothom Alo building in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, on 18 December 2025, even after 10.5 months, Prothom Alo has reported. The identities of those who allegedly planned and coordinated the attack have yet to be established, and no charge sheet has been submitted. This is despite Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed directing investigators last February to complete the investigation and submit the charge sheet within two months.
According to the Prothom Alo report, a total of 39 people were arrested at different stages in connection with the incident. All of them have since been released on bail. Police arrested 25 people during the first eight days following the attack. After the investigation was transferred to the DB, another 14 people were arrested. The latest arrest was recorded in July, and no further arrests have been made since then.
At the beginning of the investigation, the DB had said it would examine not only the roles of those directly involved in the attack but also those who allegedly incited, planned and coordinated it. However, despite reviewing video footage, still photographs and live videos circulated on social media, investigators have been unable to identify everyone involved. The investigation has also yet to establish clear findings regarding the preparations and planning behind the attack, possible financing, or any potential political support.
Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, Additional Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) and the officer supervising the investigation, told Prothom Alo that a group from the dark web had been engaged to assist with the investigation, but it had also failed to identify anyone new. According to him, several individuals suspected of inciting the attack through mobile phones were brought in for questioning. However, investigators could not establish their presence at the scene or find sufficient links connecting them to the case. As a result, they could not be included as accused in the case. He also said that he currently sees little prospect of identifying additional accused.
Meanwhile, the current investigating officer has said that two more individuals allegedly involved in the attack have been identified. However, no decision has yet been made on whether to bring them under the legal process. This leaves some uncertainty regarding the identification and possible legal action against additional individuals.
The report also states that 15 of those arrested had initially been detained in connection with the attack on the Daily Star building, while another individual had been arrested in a separate case. They were subsequently shown as arrested in the case concerning the attack on the Prothom Alo building as well. From April onwards, the remaining detainees were released on bail in different phases. The report also mentions a Facebook post by a page named ‘Boishommyohin Karamukti Andolon’ (Movement for Non-discriminatory Prisoner Release), in which an individual claimed to have arranged bail for several accused.