Secret documents recovered from Ganabhaban identify Ariful Islam Adib as a key coordinator of information about the July-August 2024 student-led uprising for international media, according to a report by Amar Desh published on August 8, 2026. Adib said that after the government shut down the internet on July 18, he used mobile communication to share information with journalists from BBC, Reuters, AFP, Al Jazeera and Netra News. At the time, he worked for a national daily and had recently become central general secretary of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad.

A copy of a document obtained through a source linked to the museum said information on the student movement was circulated through Md Ariful Islam to BBC, AFP, Al Jazeera and Netra News. The report said field-level reports were sent directly to Sheikh Hasina and that the documents were recovered after crowds entered Ganabhaban on August 5, 2024.

Adib said law enforcement agencies targeted him, sought information about him at his workplace and tried to forcibly disappear him on July 22, 24 and 26. He said he stopped staying at home after July 22 and returned after the government took oath. Ganabhaban has since been converted into the July Uprising Memorial Museum.