Get help
What to do after a crime in Bangladesh: who to call, how to file a GD or a case, and what to keep as evidence. Every number below is free and national.
Free helplines
In danger right now
When: A crime is happening, someone is hurt, or you are being threatened.
- 1Call 999. It is free from any phone, including without balance.
- 2Say where you are first: area, road, nearest landmark. Then what is happening.
- 3Move somewhere safe and stay on the line if you can.
- 4Do not confront armed people. Your safety comes before property.
Lost something or being threatened: file a GD
When: Lost phone, NID, documents; threats; a missing person.
- 1Go to the police station for the area where it happened. A General Diary (GD) is free.
- 2Write what happened, when and where. Bring your NID and any proof (phone IMEI box, receipts).
- 3Keep the copy with the GD number and date. You will need it to replace documents or SIMs.
- 4Many stations also accept GDs online through the police's official channels; ask at the station.
A crime was committed: file a case (FIR / এজাহার)
When: Robbery, assault, murder, extortion, drugs, kidnapping and other serious offences.
- 1Go to the police station for the area where it happened. Filing a case is free; nobody may ask you for money.
- 2Give a written complaint: what happened, date, time, place, who was involved if known, witnesses.
- 3Ask for a copy of the recorded FIR with its case number. Keep it safe.
- 4Get medical treatment first if hurt, and keep the hospital papers: they are evidence.
If the police will not take your case
When: The station refuses, delays, or asks for money.
- 1Write down the date, time and the officer's name and keep your unaccepted complaint.
- 2Submit the complaint in writing to the senior officer: the Superintendent of Police (district) or the Deputy Commissioner of Police (metropolitan area).
- 3You can also file the complaint directly before a Magistrate's court (a complaint petition, নালিশি মামলা). A lawyer can help; free legal aid is available on 16430.
Sexual violence, domestic abuse, trafficking
When: You or someone you know is a survivor, or a child is at risk.
- 1Call 109 (women and children) or 1098 (children) for free advice and referral, any time.
- 2Go to a One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) at a government medical college hospital: medical care, police help, legal and counselling support in one place.
- 3Seek medical examination as soon as possible and do not wash or discard clothing first: it preserves evidence.
- 4A case can be filed at the police station; if it is not taken, the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal can receive the complaint directly.
Online harassment, hacking, sextortion
When: Someone threatens to share images, hacks your account, or harasses you online.
- 1Do not pay and do not negotiate. Payment almost never ends blackmail.
- 2Save evidence before blocking: screenshots showing the profile link, messages with dates, phone numbers, transaction IDs.
- 3Women can report to Police Cyber Support for Women (PCSW) through its official Facebook page.
- 4File a GD or case at your police station with the evidence; serious cases go to the police cyber crime units.
- 5Report the account to the platform and secure yours: change passwords, turn on two-step verification.
Mobile money or bank fraud
When: Money taken through bKash, Nagad, a card, or a fake 'agent' call.
- 1Call your provider at once so they can try to hold the money: bKash 16247, Nagad 16167, or your bank's hotline.
- 2Never share a PIN or OTP. No genuine agent, bank or company will ask for it.
- 3Note the number that called, the transaction ID and the time, then file a GD or case at the police station.
A crowd is about to punish someone
When: A suspected thief, 'kidnapper' or blasphemer is caught by a crowd.
- 1Call 999 immediately and give the exact location.
- 2Do not join in and do not film for social media: rumours spread fast and have killed innocent people.
- 3Beating or killing a suspect is itself a crime. Only a court can punish; hand the person to the police.
Free legal help
When: You cannot afford a lawyer, or do not know what to do next.
- 1Call the National Legal Aid helpline 16430 (free) for advice and a referral.
- 2Every district has a legal aid office at the district judge's court that can appoint a lawyer for people who qualify.
- 3Bring your GD or case copy, NID and any documents when you go.
General information, not legal advice. Procedures can differ by case; when in doubt, call 16430 for free legal aid. This site is not monitored - in an emergency, call 999.
See what has been reported near you →