Additional Superintendent of Police Abdullah Hil Kafi has been temporarily suspended in connection with the murder and subsequent burning of student and civilian bodies in Ashulia, Dhaka, according to an official notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday (9 September).
Earlier, on the night of 2 September at around 10 pm, Abdullah Hil Kafi was detained by the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
A video footage from the Ashulia area recently went viral, showing police officers loading multiple corpses onto a van on 5 August in the Ashulia Thana area. The footage later showed the bodies being placed into a police pickup van, which was subsequently set on fire.
The incident has sparked widespread debate and criticism, prompting the Dhaka District Police to form an investigation committee to look into the matter.
According to sources, Abdullah Hil Kafi was a responsible officer in Dhaka North District Police. It was under his instruction that the bodies were loaded into the police van and set ablaze. After being identified as the instigator, Kafi attempted to flee the country.
Abdullah Hil Kafi had served in the Dhanmondi zone of the Dhaka Metropolitan area for a long time.
During that time, he developed a friendship with the son of former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. This relationship is believed to have contributed to his influence and reputation as a powerful officer within the police force.
