SP Jahangir didn't even sense the intelligence net spread around him
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jahangir Alam faces sedition case. Collected photo.
At 9:57 pm on November 8, a message was posted from the WhatsApp number of Superintendent of Police Mohammad Jahangir Alam to a certain individual. The message read, "Assalamu Alaikum Sir. Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu. Sir, best wishes. I will carry the slogan of Joy Bangla to the last drop of my blood. Sir, December is a life-or-death gamble. The people will descend on the streets like bees. In 1996, at my father's direction for a caretaker government, inspired by Bangabandhu's ideals, I took to the streets even as a child, Sir. Bangladesh must be rescued, Sir."
Earlier, at 9:23 pm, a message written in English was sent: "Dear sir Best wishes for you. Inshallah Bangladesh will be restored to previous state in December. Stay fine sir. Regards sir."
Jahangir did not even know that he was on the intelligence agencies' list of suspects for leaking administrative information to leaders and activists of the political party Awami League. Information about his message exchanges was silently reaching the intelligence agencies. He got caught in the intelligence net. On November 10, both his personal and official mobile phones were seized. Forensic examination found evidence of message exchanges. Information and evidence also emerged in the investigation.
Ultimately, around 10:30 pm last Saturday, Jahangir was arrested from the Police Officers' Mess on Road No. 2 of Nasirabad Housing Society in Chattogram city. Before the arrest, however, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mohammad Abul Kasem Chowdhury of Chattogram's Range Reserve Force (RRF) filed a case against him at the city's Panchlaish Police Station. The case was filed under Sections 124(A) and 153 of the Penal Code on charges of sedition through anti-state provocative statements and inciting communal violence.
The First Information Report (FIR) of the case stated that Jahangir Alam, despite being a police officer, was in regular contact with fugitive Awami League leaders staying abroad or their patrons through Telegram groups and WhatsApp. With their backing, he was helping to create and implement a blueprint for a subversive conspiracy to overthrow the current government or state system and restore the previous state of affairs.
Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury told Agami'r Samay, "We found two specific messages on his (Jahangir's) mobile phone. They contain elements of sedition. A case has been filed. The matters will become clearer in the investigation."
The DIG said it would be investigated whether anyone else from the law enforcement agencies was involved in such a conspiracy with Jahangir.
Police officials said Jahangir Alam had sent the messages from an open WhatsApp account using his personal mobile number. The account's name was "Daydreamer." No one is opening up about which banned Awami League leader the messages were sent to.
However, police officials have hinted that the messages may have been sent to a leader who was in charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs during the Awami League era and an "important" leader of the banned party's presidium. DIG Abdul Kuddus Chowdhury said, "It is not clear to whom the messages were sent. The information will certainly emerge during his (Jahangir's) interrogation."
In the sedition case, Chattogram's Fourth Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafa has granted a four-day remand for interrogating Jahangir. Inspector Rasel Mahmud of the Special Response Unit (SRU) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has been assigned to investigate the case.
Mohammad Jahangir Alam joined the police force in 2010. During the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, he was serving as Additional Superintendent of Police in Feni district. Most recently, he was Deputy Commandant of RRF, Chattogram, in the rank of Superintendent of Police. His home is in Chandapasha village of Shibpur Upazila in Narsingdi district.
The investigation report on the allegations against Jahangir has been sent to the Police Headquarters. Police officials said departmental disciplinary action will be taken against him from there.
