In a significant move reflecting long-suppressed institutional tensions, the Bangladesh Army has launched a formal investigation into alleged abuse, humiliation, and even killings of its personnel by police forces during Sheikh Hasina’s rule.

The probe spans a 15-year period—from February 25, 2009, to August 5, 2024—encompassing the entirety of Hasina’s most recent uninterrupted tenure. On July 10, the Army Headquarters’ Military Police (MP) Directorate issued a confidential circular instructing various units to submit detailed incident reports by July 13.

Signed by Lt. Colonel AKM Salahuddin Azad of the Adjutant General’s (AG) Branch, the directive was sent to all major military commands, including the Army MP Unit HQ, Infantry Divisions, Logistics Areas, deployed units, and internal MP departments.

According to the instruction, incidents of misconduct by police against army personnel must be classified into two categories: commissioned officers and other ranks (non-commissioned and junior commissioned officers). Each report must name the responsible police officers, the local Superintendent of Police at the time, and the then Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Military and political analysts view this step as more than routine data collection—it appears to be the military’s first formal initiative to document systemic abuses by state law enforcement under a regime often criticized for authoritarian overreach. For years, allegations persisted that police were used as political tools, with some incidents reportedly targeting members of the armed forces.

The army’s action also follows public comments made earlier this year by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, who vowed accountability for all individuals—both police and civil officials—implicated in controversial or criminal activities during the Awami League’s rule.

“There is video footage of police personnel who played questionable roles,” he said in January. “They are being identified and detained—two to three arrests are happening daily. Today we caught Matiur—yes, ‘Goat Matiur.’ He had been evading capture for a long time. Now he’s in custody, and more will follow. No one will be spared.”

Chowdhury emphasized that even officers who had received promotions or strategic transfers despite documented misconduct would face justice. “From constables to deputy commissioners, those who opened fire or engaged in abuse will be held to account,” he said. He also urged that media-published lists of controversial police personnel be officially forwarded to Police Headquarters for further action.

Within this context, the Army’s internal directive signals more than inter-agency housekeeping. It may represent the beginning of a broader reckoning—one aimed at restoring accountability and institutional balance in a post-authoritarian Bangladesh.