DHAKA, August 20 — A case has been sought against former interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, former law adviser Asif Nazrul, MP Hasnat Abdullah and 24 others over the alleged attack, vandalism, arson and subsequent demolition of the historic residence at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka.
Tamanna Chowdhury Priyanka filed the petition before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana around 11am on Thursday. The court has not yet decided whether to accept the case.
Lawyer A.K.M. Sharif Uddin, representing the plaintiff, said the court recorded the plaintiff’s statement and would issue an order after reviewing the case documents.
According to the petition, on August 5, 2025, a large number of people allegedly attacked the historic building with the direct or indirect instigation, support or assistance of several accused. The attackers allegedly vandalised the premises, set fire to the building and damaged or looted historical artefacts, documents, books and other valuable items.
The petition further alleged that heavy machinery, including bulldozers, excavators and hammers, was later brought to the site and used to demolish the building. The demolition reportedly continued throughout the night and until the afternoon of August 6.
The complaint also cited a Facebook post by Hasnat Abdullah, alleging that the post preceded a procession to the Dhanmondi 32 residence, followed by an attack, arson and the use of explosives that resulted in the destruction of the building.
Besides Yunus, Asif Nazrul and Hasnat Abdullah, the petition names former environment adviser Rizwana Hasan, Nahid Islam, Mustafa Sarwar Farooki, Shafiqul Alam, Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Mahfuz Alam, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, Abdul Hannan Masud, Samanta Sharmin, Nusrat Tabassum, Dr Tasnim Jara, Nasiruddin Patwari, Ariful Islam Adib and Saleh Uddin Sifat.
Pinaki Bhattacharya, Elias Hossain, Kanak Sarwar, Col (retd) Nurnabi, Tahreema Jannat Survi, Md Milon, Fahim Al Chowdhury and Abul Kalam Azad have also been named in the petition.
The complainant has additionally accused between 3,000 and 5,000 unidentified individuals in connection with the alleged incident.
The court’s decision on whether to formally take cognisance of the petition is still pending.
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