DB arrests Evaly’s Russel and Shamima again

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has once again taken Evaly’s top executives into custody. On Monday night (19 January), a DB team conducted an operation in the Dhanmondi area of the capital, detaining Evaly’s Chairman, Shamima Nasrin, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mohammad Russel. The arrests were officially confirmed on Tuesday (20 January) by Deputy Police Commissioner (DC) of the DMP Media and Public Relations Division, Mohammad Talebur Rahman.

According to DC Rahman, both Shamima Nasrin and Mohammad Russel were apprehended due to multiple pending warrants, amounting to a total of 391. “These arrests follow a series of ongoing investigations and legal proceedings against the executives,” he stated.

Local police have also corroborated the arrests. Dhanmondi Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Saiful Islam, confirmed that the station had been officially informed of the DB’s actions against the two executives.

Further details from DB sources indicate that the warrants span across several police stations, including Dhanmondi, Kafrul, and Savar. Notably, over 100 of these warrants pertain solely to cases filed at the Dhanmondi Police Station. The charges relate primarily to allegations of fraud, financial irregularities, and embezzlement linked to the operations of Evaly, once one of Bangladesh’s largest e-commerce platforms.

This is not the first time the executives have faced legal scrutiny. On 16 September 2021, police had previously arrested Mohammad Russel and Shamima Nasrin from their residence in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on allegations of fraud and embezzlement. Following protracted legal proceedings, Shamima Nasrin was released on bail in April 2022, while Mohammad Russel secured bail later in December of the same year.

The renewed arrests signal a continuation of the authorities’ efforts to hold the leadership of Evaly accountable as investigations intensify. Analysts suggest that with nearly 400 active warrants, the executives could face further legal complications in multiple jurisdictions across Dhaka.

Summary of Arrest Warrants:

Authorities have emphasised that these measures are part of ongoing investigations into the alleged mismanagement and financial malpractice within Evaly. The public and investors are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, reflecting growing concern over corporate governance in the country’s e-commerce sector.