Former MP Shown Arrested Over Devastating Bangabazar Market Fire

A Dhaka court on Monday formally ordered the arrest of Afzal Hossain, a former Member of Parliament representing the Kishoreganj-5 constituency, in connection with the catastrophic arson case at the Bangabazar clothing market. The devastating blaze, which occurred in April 2023, resulted in massive financial losses estimated at 500 crore BDT and left thousands of small-scale traders completely destitute overnight.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana passed the order following a formal petition submitted by the investigation officer of the case. The former Awami League lawmaker was produced before the court under tight security, where the police requested he be shown arrested to facilitate a comprehensive interrogation regarding his alleged involvement in the incident.

According to the prosecution, the investigating agency uncovered preliminary evidence during its initial probe suggesting that Afzal Hossain was directly or indirectly linked to the conspiracy behind the fire. The state defence counsel, Muhammad Shamsuddoha Suman, confirmed the court’s decision, adding that showing the high-profile politician arrested was vital for the sake of a proper, unhindered investigation into the multi-million-pound disaster.

Background of the Catastrophe and Ongoing Legal Battles

The incident dates back to the early morning of 4 April 2023, when a ferocious fire tore through the Bangabazar shopping complex, one of the largest and most famous clothing hubs in the capital city. Due to the highly flammable nature of the goods and inadequate fire safety measures within the overcrowded market, the flames spread with alarming speed. It took over fifty units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, alongside members of the armed forces, several hours to bring the inferno under control.

The aftermath was bleak. The fire completely reduced thousands of shops to ashes, wiping out the seasonal investments of traders just weeks before the major Eid-ul-Fitr festival. Initial assessments by the market authorities and Dhaka South City Corporation placed the total financial damage at approximately 500 crore BDT, triggering widespread public outcry and demands for a thorough inquiry into potential sabotage.

Following the incident, a formal case was lodged by an affected trader, Md Kamal Hossain Ripon, who alleged that the fire was not a mere accident but a premeditated act of arson. The case names 17 individuals, including the former lawmaker Afzal Hossain, alongside 20 to 30 unidentified suspects. Detectives are currently exploring financial motives, land disputes, and political angles to uncover the full scope of the conspiracy that ruined thousands of livelihoods.