Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

1. Overview

The Dhaka Tribune, an English-language newspaper in Bangladesh [1], describes a GD as "a comprehensive record of all incidents reported at a police station" (2024-05-14). According to the website of Tahmidur Remura Wahid (TRW), a Dhaka-based law firm whose areas of practice include criminal law (TRW n.d.a), a GD is a written record documenting a non-cognizable offence [2] (TRW n.d.b). According to a 2019 report by the International Federation for Human Rights (Fédération internationale pour les droits humains, FIDH), non-cognizable offences are "less serious crimes," including "misbehaviour, public annoyance, cheating or defamation" (FIDH 2019-04, 55). The website of Advocacy Legal, a "full-service law firm" based in Dhaka whose areas of practice include criminal law (Advocacy Legal n.d.), defines a GD as follows:

[A]n official record kept at police stations to log daily events, minor disputes, or incidents that may not immediately warrant investigation or legal action. It functions as a precautionary measure, documenting situations that could potentially develop into criminal cases. (2024-10-04)

The Police Act, 1861 provides the following on GDs:

44. It shall be the duty of every officer in charge of a police-station to keep a general diary in such form as shall from time to time, be prescribed by the Government and to record therein all complaints and charges preferred, the names of all persons arrested, the names of the complainants, the offences charged against them, the weapons or property that shall have been taken from their possession or otherwise, and the names of the witnesses who shall have been examined.

The Magistrate of the district shall be at liberty to call for and inspect such diary. (Bangladesh 1861)

2. Purpose and Uses of a GD

Sources indicate that filing a GD is the process for registering a complaint with the police or reporting a crime (Advocacy Legal 2024-03-06) or incident (TRW n.d.b). Sources note that "anyone" can file a GD (Advocacy Legal 2024-03-06; Dhaka Tribune 2024-05-14). The Dhaka Tribune indicates that GDs can be filed for "non-criminal matters, missing items, or informational purposes" (2024-05-14). According to sources, GDs document non-cognizable offences (Advocacy Legal 2024-10-04; TRW n.d.b). Advocacy Legal describes non-cognizable offences as "minor incidents or matters," and lists the following examples:

• the loss of a phone, wallet, "important" document, or piece of identification;
• a minor traffic accident;
• a family dispute or a "minor conflic[t]";
• a threat that has "not yet resulted in any physical harm" (2024-10-04).
  
  

Sources note that the filing of a GD does not require police to take "immediate action" (TRW n.d.b; Advocacy Legal 2024-10-04) or initiate an investigation (Advocacy Legal 2024-10-04; Dhaka Tribune 2024-05-14). However, it provides a record of the incident that can serve as evidence "for legal or official purposes" (Advocacy Legal 2024-10-04) or "[i]f legal action is required or a dispute arises" (TRW n.d.b). TRW also states that an investigation can be launched based on a GD if the "incident warrants further investigation or intervention" from police (n.d.b).

The Dhaka Tribune notes that there is sometimes confusion between GDs and First Information Reports (FIRs) (2024-05-14). A First Information Report (FIR) is another type of police document that is used for cognizable offences [3], "serious crime[s]" for which the police can arrest the accused (Dhaka Tribune 2024-05-14; Advocacy Legal 2024-10-04) without a warrant (Advocacy Legal 2024-10-04). Sources note that that police are "legally obligated" to investigate an FIR (Advocacy Legal 2024-10-04; Dhaka Tribune 2024-05-14); a GD, in contrast, will "likely … not lead to an investigation" (Dhaka Tribune 2024-05-14). For further information on cognizable and non-cognizable offences and FIRs, see Response to Information Request BGD200855 of January 2022.

3. Requirements and Procedures to File a GD

TRW describes the following steps to file a GD:

1. Go to a police station
   
   • The police station must have jurisdiction over the area where the incident being reported occurred.
   • Upon arriving at the police station, the individual filing the GD should indicate to the Duty Officer that they intend to file a GD. The officer will then provide a GD form and guidance on completing the process.
2. Fill out the GD form
   
   • The GD form is "a standard document used to record a complaint or incident."
   • Required information for the form includes the incident date, time and location; a description of events; the complainant's name, address, and contact information.
3. Submit the GD form
   
   • Once complete, the GD form is submitted to the Duty Officer, who may ask for additional information.
   • The Duty Officer will sign the form and provide a copy to the complainant.
4. Follow up to ensure that the GD has been processed
   
   • The status of a GD can be verified in person at the police station or with a phone call to the officer in charge (n.d.b).
     
     

Sources indicate that in [June (The Daily Star 2022-07-02)] 2022, a system was introduced that allowed individuals to file a GD online (UNB 2022-07-02; The Daily Star 2022-07-02). Sources from 2022 note that the online GD service is only for lost or found items (The Business Standard 2022-06-25; UNB 2022-07-02).

Sources indicate that the following are required to register for the online GD service and file a GD online:

• A National Identity Card (NID) (UNB 2022-07-02; The Daily Star 2022-07-02)
• Personal "details" (The Daily Star 2022-07-02) or date of birth (UNB 2022-07-02)
• "[L]ive" photo (UNB 2022-07-02; The Daily Star 2022-07-02)
• A "valid" Android phone with a sim card (UNB 2022-07-02) or a mobile number (The Daily Star 2022-07-02)
  
  

United News of Bangladesh (UNB), a digital private-sector wire service based in Bangladesh (UNB n.d.), indicates that in order to file a GD through the web portal, an individual must first download and register through the mobile application; it is not possible to register credentials through the web portal (2022-07-02).

Media sources report that as of June 2025 the online GD service has been launched across all police stations under the Sylhet Range allowing citizens to file all types of GDs online, not only lost and found items (UNB 2025-06-01; BSS 2025-06-01). The same sources report, citing a police press release, that the online GD service is already operational under the Sylhet Metropolitan Police, Chittagong Metropolitan Police, and all police stations in the Chittagong Range and will be introduced in other ranges and metropolitan areas in phases (UNB 2025-06-01; BSS 2025-06-01). To use the online GD service, users must download the "'Online GD'" application from the Google Play Store and complete a one-time registration; there is a hotline available for help registering or submitting a GD online (UNB 2025-06-01; BSS 2025-06-01).

3.1 Obstacles to Filing a GD

In an article on a Bengali-language report from a government commission on police reform, Prothom Alo, a Bangladesh daily newspaper [4], indicates that police require a bribe for "almost everything," including filing a GD (Prothom Alo 2025-02-10).

A Home Affairs Ministry circular cited by media sources in August 2024 acknowledges reports of police delaying filing or refusing to file cases, GDs and FIRs (New Age 2024-08-23; The Business Standard 2024-08-23). A representative of Home Affairs is cited by the Daily Star [5] as stating that the online GD service is intended to "'help'" resolve this "long-standing issue" (The Daily Star 2025-04-16).

However, an article by the Business Standard, an English-language newspaper in Bangladesh (The Business Standard n.d.), on the Online GD application indicates that "hundreds" of people report having struggled to file a GD online (The Business Standard 2024-05-16). Complaints cited in the article include slow response time from the app and the necessary one-time password failing to send; some users report not being able to register at all (The Business Standard 2024-05-16). One resident interviewed by the Business Standard stated that he sought help from a police station in filing a GD and was told that the server for online filing was down with no timeline for it to be fixed (The Business Standard 2024-05-16). In a May 2024 UNB [6] article, a Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner is cited as stating that at the time the police force's server was slow or completely down and that GDs that could not be lodged online would be lodged "manually" (UNB 2024-05-20).

4. Appearance and Content

Information on the appearance and content of GDs was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. A template of a GD form provided by the website of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police is attached to this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] According to the Shongjog Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP), a "collaborative effort made up of government, international and national NGOs and other groups" and funded by UK Aid that "ensure[s] that there are identified credible sources of information" and "aim[s] to promote trust between communities and the disaster response sector" (Shongjog MSP n.d.), the Dhaka Tribune's parent company is 2A Media Limited, a subsidiary of Gemcon Group, which is owned by an Awami League (AL) politician (Shongjog MSP 2021-10-12). However, BBC Monitoring indicates that the Dhaka Tribune is "known to be liberal and impartial" (BBC 2025-05-16).

[2] A non-cognizable offence is one for which "a police-officer may not arrest without a warrant" (Bangladesh 1898, Sec. 4(1)(n)).

[3] Cognizable offences include theft, assault, robbery and murder (Dhaka Tribune 2024-05-14).

[4] Sources indicate that Prothom Alo is owned by Transcom Group, which also owns the Daily Star (BBC 2025-05-16; Shongjog MSP 2021-10-12). Sources indicate that Prothom Alo has "maintain[ed] a certain editorial independence" from the government (RSF [2025]) or "does not exhibit a particular political leaning," but has been critical of the AL government for corruption and other issues (BBC 2025-05-16).

[5] Sources indicate that the Daily Star is owned by Transcom Group, which also owns Prothom Alo (Shongjog MSP 2021-10-12; BBC 2025-05-16). Sources indicate that the Daily Star has a "reputation for non-partisan quality reportage" (Shongjog MSP 2021-10-12) or has been critical of the AL government on "various issues" (BBC 2016-02-18) or has "maintain[ed] a certain editorial independence" from the government (RSF [2025]).

[6] UNB is a Bangladesh-based digital wire service for South Asia; Farid Hossain, one of the founders who is also the Advisory Editor, worked as the Dhaka bureau chief of the Associated Press (AP) (UNB 2024-10-01).

References

Advocacy Legal. 2024-10-04. "Differences Between GD and FIR in Bangladesh." [Accessed 2025-06-16]

Advocacy Legal. 2024-03-06. Rawnak Jahan. "General Diary (G.D.) & When to File It?" [Accessed 2025-06-16]

Advocacy Legal. N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 2025-06-16]

Bangladesh. 1898 (amended 2025). The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. [Accessed: 2025-05-19]

Bangladesh. 1861 (amended 1973). The Police Act, 1861. [Accessed 2025-06-16]

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) News. 2025-06-01. "Online GD Launched in Sylhet Range." [Accessed 2025-06-27]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 2025-05-16. BBC Monitoring. "Highlights from Bangladesh's Bengali-Language Press, Websites 16 May 25." (Factiva) [Accessed 2025-05-22]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 2016-02-18. Justin Rowlatt. "'Attempt to Crush Independent Media' in Bangladesh." [Accessed 2025-05-22]

The Business Standard. 2024-08-23. "Don't Delay in Accepting GDs, FIRs, Cases: Home Ministry Tells Police." [Accessed 2025-06-26]

The Business Standard. 2024-05-16. Zia Chowdhury. "'Online GD' App: A Promise Turns into Peril for Users." [Accessed 2025-06-26]

The Business Standard. 2022-06-25. Zia Chowdhury & Asadulla Lion. "Online GD Only for 'Lost and Found' Incidents." [Accessed 2025-06-27]

The Business Standard. N.d. "About Business Standard." [Accessed 2025-07-02]

The Daily Star. 2025-04-16. "Uprising Cases: 'Not Sparing Any Big Fish' Says Home Adviser." [Accessed 2025-06-26]

The Daily Star. 2022-07-02. "Here's How You Can File a GD Online with Bangladesh Police." [Accessed 2025-06-16]

Dhaka Tribune. 2024-05-14. "FIR vs GD: What Is the Difference?" [Accessed 2025-06-16]

Fédération internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH). 2019-04. Vanished Without a Trace: The Enforced Disappearance of Opposition and Dissent in Bangladesh. No. 735a. [Accessed 2025-07-22]

New Age. 2024-08-23. "Home Ministry Asks Police Not to Deny, Delay Recording Cases, GDs." [Accessed 2025-06-26]

Prothom Alo. 2025-02-10. Mahmudul Hasan. "9 Sectors of Police Corruption Identified." [Accessed 2025-06-26]

Reporters sans frontières (RSF). [2025]. "Bangladesh." [Accessed 2025-05-21]

Shongjog Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP). 2021-10-12. "Media Landscape Guide." [Accessed 2025-05-15]

Shongjog Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP). N.d. "About Shongjog." [Accessed 2025-05-15]

Tahmidur Remura Wahid (TRW). N.d.a. "Our Practices." [Accessed 2025-06-16]

Tahmidur Remura Wahid (TRW). N.d.b. "General Diary at Bangladeshi Police Station." [Accessed 2025-06-16]

United News of Bangladesh (UNB). 2025-06-01. "Online GD Service Launched Across Sylhet Range." [Accessed 2025-06-13]

United News of Bangladesh (UNB). 2024-10-01. "Farid Hossain Made UNB Advisory Editor; Mahfuzur Rahman Joins as Its Editor." [Accessed 2025-07-02]

United News of Bangladesh (UNB). 2024-05-20. "GD Will Be Done on Time Whether Online or Manually: DMP Chief." [Accessed 2025-06-26]

United News of Bangladesh (UNB). 2022-07-02. Shahriar Rabab. "Filing GD: How to File General Diary Online in Bangladesh." [Accessed: 2025-06-18]

United News of Bangladesh (UNB). N.d. "About United News of Bangladesh." [Accessed 2025-06-26]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Ain o Salish Kendrea; Asian Human Rights Commission; Bangladesh – Bangladesh Police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police; Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust; Human Rights Support Society; law firms in Bangladesh (3); Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation; Madripur Legal Aid Association; Odhikar.

Internet sites, including: Ain o Salish Kendrea; Al Jazeera; Amnesty International; Asian Human Rights Commission; Australia – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Austrian Red Cross – ecoi.net; Bangladesh – Bangladesh National Portal; Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust; Bdnews24.com; Dainik Ittefaq; The Daily Sun; Deutsche Welle; The Financial Express [Bangladesh]; France – Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides; Freedom House; Human Rights Support Society; Human Rights Watch; The Independent [Bangladesh]; Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation; Observer Research Foundation; Odhikar; UK – House of Commons Library; UN – Refworld.

Attachment

1. Bangladesh. N.d. Bangladesh Police, Dhaka Metropolitan Police. General diary (GD) form. Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 2025-06-23]