Police in the Bangladeshi capital have arrested Bidisha Ershad, the former wife of the late President and Jatiya Party founder Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Officers executed a long-outstanding judicial warrant during a targeted operation in Dhaka’s upscale Gulshan neighbourhood on Tuesday evening, taking her into custody at approximately 8:30 pm.
Dawood Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Gulshan Police Station, confirmed the arrest, explaining that law enforcement officers acted upon a direct order issued by the court. The warrant stems from a landmark fraud case in which Bidisha was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment alongside a fine of 10,000 Bangladeshi Taka. Following her failure to comply with the judicial verdict, the trial court issued a formal warrant for her apprehension.
Bidisha, a prominent socialite and political figure, married the former military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 2000. Her marriage to Ershad, who ruled Bangladesh from 1982 to 1990 following a bloodless coup, drew immense public attention and remained a staple of national tabloid commentary for years. The relationship eventually dissolved in a highly publicised and contentious divorce in 2005, marked by bitter legal disputes over property, political influence, and the custody of their son, Eric Ershad.
Following her divorce from Ershad, Bidisha attempted to forge an independent trajectory within Bangladeshi politics, often establishing rival factions within the Jatiya Party framework and frequently challenging the party’s established leadership. Over the years, however, her post-divorce career has been repeatedly overshadowed by complex legal battles, financial disputes, and criminal charges filed by various private claimants and institutions.
The execution of Tuesday’s warrant marks a significant turn in Bidisha’s protracted legal struggles. Gulshan police officers confirmed that she was taken directly into custody following her arrest and will be presented before the competent court to undergo the legal process prescribed for convicted individuals. Authorities indicated that standard protocol will be strictly followed as she is transferred into judicial custody to serve her sentence.
