Shajahan Khan’s Son Arrested in July Attack Case

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Ehsanul Islam on Monday, 26 January, ordered the arrest of Asibur Rahman Khan, son of former Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, in connection with the high-profile attempted murder case of Al Amin during the July protests in Aftabnagar, the capital. The order came following a formal hearing of the investigation officer’s application.

SI Zakir Hossain of the Prosecution Department confirmed the development, stating that the case’s investigating officer, SI Harun-ur-Rashid of Badda Police Station, had applied on 20 January to have Asibur formally placed under arrest. The court had scheduled Monday’s hearing specifically to ensure the presence of the accused.

During the hearing, Asibur, who is also a former chairman of Madaripur Sadar Upazila, was presented before the court. He was represented by lawyer Morshed Hossain Shaheen, while the state counsel, Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon, argued in favour of the arrest. After reviewing the arguments, the magistrate approved the request and formally ordered Asibur’s arrest under the pending case.

The case stems from an incident on 19 July 2024, when Al Amin participated in a political protest outside East West University. Reports indicate that members of the ruling Awami League and its affiliated organisations allegedly attacked protesters and opened fire, leaving Al Amin with a gunshot wound to his leg. He received medical treatment at a nearby hospital following the attack.

Subsequently, on 10 September 2024, Al Amin filed a formal complaint at Badda Police Station, naming 16 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as accused in connection with the violent incident.

Earlier, on 26 September 2024, Asibur Rahman had been arrested at Shahjalal International Airport in relation to other cases. Since then, he has faced multiple charges, including attempted murder, and various legal measures have been taken to secure his presence before the court.

The timeline of key developments in the case is summarised below:

The arrest has drawn significant attention from political circles and the public, given the high-profile nature of the accused and the violent circumstances surrounding the July protest. Legal experts suggest that the ongoing proceedings could have wide-ranging implications for accountability and political discourse in Bangladesh.