Nehal Ahmed Jihad, the prime accused in the widely condemned assault of two girls at the Munshiganj launch terminal in May, was recently seen attending a courtesy meeting with the district’s Superintendent of Police (SP), a move that has drawn sharp criticism from rights advocates and citizens.
The meeting took place on Monday at the office of Munshiganj SP Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar, attended by leaders of July Mancha, a student platform. Jihad, currently out on bail, joined the meeting in his capacity as media coordinator of the Munshiganj unit. SP Shamsul confirmed his participation, stating, “Since Jihad is currently out on bail, he joined the meeting with the others.”
Jihad was arrested following the circulation of a viral video on May 9, showing him beating two girls with a belt aboard a passenger launch as onlookers cheered. Public outrage led to his brief detention, but he was released on bail on June 4 and was welcomed with garlands by supporters. While some July Mancha members defended his continued involvement, others, including local civil society leaders, criticized the normalization of his public role. “Under this government, it is often seen that those who break the law are later seen playing the role of its protectors,” said Shahid E Hasan Tuhin of the Socheton Nagorik Committee.
The incident has reignited concerns over impunity, performative justice, and the troubling overlap between alleged perpetrators and public institutions.
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