A legal case has been filed against five individuals following the cancellation of Pakistani singer Atif Aslam’s highly anticipated concert in Dhaka, amid allegations that ticket holders were not refunded. Both the concert organisers and key individuals associated with the event have been named in the case.
Among the accused are Kazi Rafsan, co-founder of Main Stage Inc; Brity Sabrina Khan, representative of Cholghuri Limited; Asif Iqbal, Managing Director of Cholghuri Limited; and Promi Islam, the company’s Chairman.
The case was formally submitted on Tuesday, 15 December, by barrister Ahsan Habib Bhuiya at the office of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain in Dhaka. According to the filing, the primary allegation is that the organisers failed to return the ticket payments despite the concert’s cancellation, an act which falls under the purview of fraud under Bangladeshi law.
The plaintiff’s legal team confirmed that the court has accepted the case and instructed the investigating police to submit a detailed report within fifteen working days. Subsequent legal steps will be determined based on the findings of this report.
Earlier, on 11 December, Atif Aslam himself announced the cancellation on his verified Facebook page. He cited that the organisers were unable to secure the necessary local permits, ensure adequate safety measures, and arrange essential logistical support. In his statement, he emphasised that holding the event under these circumstances would not have been safe or feasible.
The Dhaka concert had originally been scheduled for 13 December. Alongside Atif Aslam, performances were expected from popular local band Nemesis, Azam Khan Feederz, and several renowned folk artists. The cancellation has left ticket holders expressing significant disappointment and concern.
Over recent years, Bangladesh has faced repeated challenges in hosting large-scale international concerts, primarily due to safety, permit, and logistical issues. Legal experts suggest that this case could serve as an important precedent, encouraging stricter adherence to event management protocols and potentially raising the standards for future international performances in the country.
The ongoing legal proceedings are being closely monitored by both fans and industry stakeholders, as the outcome may have far-reaching implications for event organisers and performers planning large-scale events in Bangladesh.