Staff Reporter:

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday accused the interim government of playing "hide and seek" regarding the arrest of cabinet members from Sheikh Hasina’s administration, who he claims are guilty of committing crimes.

“Why are you engaging in this hide and seek when it comes to the arrest and detention of ministers from Sheikh Hasina’s regime, who have committed crimes and injustices?” Rizvi questioned.

He highlighted that there were initial reports of the former foreign minister's arrest, but later it was claimed that the minister was seen roaming freely in Jackson Heights, USA.

Rizvi made these remarks while speaking at a programme organized by the Dhaka South City Unit BNP in front of Bahadur Shah Park in the old city. The event aimed to distribute leaflets to raise public awareness about preventing dengue.

The BNP leader further pointed out that there were similar confusing reports about the former state minister for information, Mohammad Ali Arafat, who was allegedly arrested but later found to be free. “Why are you misleading the public? Why play this game of hide and seek? That’s what the people want to know,” Rizvi added.

He also criticized the ongoing delay in withdrawing false cases filed against BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, suggesting that the delay is part of a broader scheme orchestrated by the Awami League’s allies.

Rizvi questioned why the case against Tarique Rahman, which he claims is politically motivated, remains unresolved. He pointed out that even the Moinuddin-Fakhruddin caretaker government during 2007-08 could not implicate Tarique Rahman in the August 21 grenade attack case. "This case stems from Sheikh Hasina’s political vendetta. The people deserve to know why it’s still unresolved,” he said.

Commenting on the dismissal of trainee sub-inspectors (SIs) from the 40th outside cadet batch at Sarda Police Academy in Rajshahi, Rizvi noted that 252 police officers, appointed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, had been dropped, although 803 officers were expected to be dismissed.

Dhaka South City BNP convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu and member secretary Tanvir Ahmed, among others, were present at the event.