The government has declared a building in Dhaka Cantonment as a temporary prison, according to a notification issued by the Department of Prisons under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The declaration was made under the authority of Section 541(1) of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and Section 3(B) of The Prisons Act, 1894 (Act IX of 1894).

The order, signed by Md Hafiz Al Asad, Deputy Secretary of the Security Services Division, designates the “MES Building-54,” situated on the north side of Bashar Road in Dhaka Cantonment, as a temporary correctional facility. The notification states that the directive has received approval from the competent authority and has taken immediate effect.

The move follows the Bangladesh Army Headquarters’ announcement on October 11, confirming that 15 army officers were facing arrest warrants in separate cases involving alleged enforced disappearances and torture during the tenure of the Awami League government. These officers are currently in military custody.

However, the home ministry notification does not clarify whether these accused officers will be held in the newly designated Dhaka Cantonment prison.

On October 12, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Tajul Islam, stated that the 15 officers in army custody must be presented before the tribunal within 24 hours of the issuance of the warrants, as mandated by law.

Addressing the media, Major General Md Hakimuzzaman, Adjutant General of the Bangladesh Army, confirmed that 15 accused officers are in custody while one officer, Major General Kabir Ahmed, remains missing after leaving his residence and failing to return.

“We learned on October 8 that arrest warrants had been issued against 25 current and former army officers,” said Maj Gen Hakimuzzaman. “However, we have not yet received official copies of the warrants.”

He added that among the 25 officers, nine are retired, one is on leave preparatory to retirement (LPR), and 15 are currently serving in the Bangladesh Army.

TDD/SHS