Rakibul Hasan, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dhaka’s Cantonment Police Station—who had previously been withdrawn from his post following the circulation of an audio clip on social media—has been arrested. Nazmul Haque, Assistant Commissioner (Cantonment Zone, Gulshan Division, DMP), confirmed that he was formally arrested on Thursday afternoon in connection with a sedition case filed at the Cantonment Police Station.

He told the media that, following his arrest, the officer was produced before the court.

A press release issued by the DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division stated that he faces allegations of "spreading anti-state and provocative statements on social media." Police have also applied for a seven-day remand to interrogate him.

OC Rakibul Hasan was withdrawn from his post and attached to DMP Headquarters on September 17, following the controversy sparked by the viral audio clip. Police had also initiated an investigation against him. Colleagues stated that he was taken to the DMP’s Detective Branch (DB) office on Minto Road the following day.

Recently, an audio clip circulated on social media in which a person, identifying himself as the OC, was heard criticizing the government, the administration, the army, and the police force.

In the audio attributed to OC Rakibul, the speaker is heard saying that the police deployed on the streets are very weak. He claimed that if Sheikh Hasina returns in December, they would be unable to take any action.

The speaker in the audio alleged that while senior police officials were leaning towards the BNP, field-level officers were not doing so. He was also heard discussing allegations regarding bribery in police postings and appointments.

It has not been confirmed whether the audio clip circulating under OC Rakibul's name is indeed his.