Tensions erupted at the Shariatpur District and Sessions Judge’s Court premises on Wednesday morning as a faction of BNP activists allegedly assaulted three lawyers affiliated with the Awami League and vandalised two chambers. The violent clash occurred around 11:00 am, throwing the judicial premises into chaos and raising serious concerns over political violence within legal precincts.
The victims of the attack have been identified as Sanowar Mallick, Shaheen Khan, and Tania Sultana. All three are active members of the Bangabandhu Awami Lawyers’ Council, an organization backed by the deposed Awami League party.
According to police officers and local eye-witnesses, the altercation stemmed from preparations surrounding the birthday celebrations of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A group of pro-Awami lawyers had reportedly arranged a programme to cut a cake in honour of the event two days prior. In response, local BNP activists launched a protest rally on the court grounds on Wednesday morning, led by Mahbub Morshed, the General Secretary of Shariatpur Sadar Upazila BNP.
The situation turned physical when protesters spotted Sanowar Mallick near the court building. Eyewitnesses reported that a group grabbed Mallick on the stairwell of the District and Sessions Judge’s Court, dragged him outside to the front courtyard, and beat him severely with iron rods.
Speaking about his ordeal, Mallick alleged that Mahbub Morshed and his son, Mihir, directly participated in the physical assault. Mallick sustained multiple injuries across his body and stated that fear of further violence prevented him from seeking treatment at a government hospital. He is currently receiving medical care at a local private clinic while remaining in hiding.
Mahbub Morshed denied any personal involvement in the physical violence, claiming that a group of individuals had been attempting to create instability under the banner of the Awami League. He maintained that the BNP merely held a peaceful protest, suggesting that aggrieved individuals outside his control might have been responsible for the assault.
Following the courtyard violence, around 30 to 35 BNP supporters reportedly barged into the nearby law offices of Shaheen Khan and Tania Sultana. Fearing for his safety, Khan attempted to lock himself inside a washroom. Tania Sultana recounted that the attackers broke down the washroom door, verbally abused her, and launched a physical attack, before ransacking the office space.
The General Secretary of the Shariatpur Bar Association, Mridha Nazrul Islam, confirmed that the association had been briefed on the incident by several eyewitnesses and stated that official legal and organizational steps would be taken following an internal meeting.
Meanwhile, Shah Alam, the Officer-in-Charge of Palang Model Police Station, noted that police forces arrived shortly after the incident, by which time the attackers had dispersed. He added that no formal written complaint had been lodged by either party yet, but assured that strict legal action will follow as soon as an official statement is filed.
