At midday on August 5, I came to the realization that Hasina would fall: Chowdhury Mamun

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has said in a court statement that by 12:30 p.m. on August 5, he realized that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government was on the verge of collapse.

His remarks came as part of a detailed five-page statement submitted to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Dhaka in March, in connection with a case filed by the International Crimes Tribunal.

Mamun described multiple high-level meetings held at Ganabhaban on August 4, chaired by Hasina and attended by top ministers and security chiefs. While the rapid escalation of public protests—part of what’s being called the “July Movement”—was discussed, there was no indication that the government considered stepping down. Mamun and other officials reportedly attempted to highlight vulnerabilities in the state's response but were not heard.

Another emergency meeting that night included Sheikh Rehana, the RAB Director General, and military leadership. Strategies were set to counter the expected mass mobilization the following day. Just after midnight, a separate meeting at the Army’s Operation Control Room outlined coordinated efforts between the police and military to block protestors at key Dhaka entry points.

According to Mamun, initial efforts by the police to maintain control lasted until about 10 a.m. on August 5. But a flood of protesters began pouring into the capital through Uttara and Jatrabari, and the army did not intervene. “Instead, field-level officers appeared sympathetic to the movement,” he said.

By early afternoon, the protest had swelled into the millions. When the Prime Minister’s Office directed authorities to halt crowds in Mohakhali, Mamun realized the government was losing its grip. "Between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m., Special Branch intel suggested that the Prime Minister was preparing to step down," he said. There was also speculation that Hasina might leave for India, although this was never confirmed.

Mamun disclosed that he was later airlifted by helicopter to the army officers’ mess near Tejgaon Airport for safety.

Mamun said: “The people's movement was suppressed at the government's behest, with the help of overzealous police officers using force, indiscriminate firing, torture, and arrests. Many were injured and killed. As a former police chief, I am ashamed, remorseful, and deeply apologetic.”