Police have arrested Abul Kashem Pallab, a two-time former chairman of the Beanibazar Upazila Parishad in Sylhet and joint general secretary of the Beanibazar unit of the Awami League, from the Bashundhara residential area of the capital.
Pallab was arrested by police from Vatara Police Station at around 11pm on Saturday, 29 August. An investigation officer at the police station said Pallab is facing around 20 cases filed at different police stations, including one in Beanibazar.
The arrest brings renewed attention to the political career of a local leader who has held several prominent positions in Beanibazar over the years. Pallab served as chairman of the upazila council for two consecutive terms and was also involved in the organisational activities of the Awami League at the upazila level.
Pallab first became chairman of the Beanibazar Upazila Parishad in the 2018 election. He retained the position in the sixth upazila council election held in May 2024. His repeated election victories established him as a prominent figure in the local political landscape.
His involvement in local politics began well before his tenure as chairman. In 2009, while still a student, Pallab served as vice-chairman of the Beanibazar Upazila Parishad. He later took on an organisational role as president of the Beanibazar unit of the Awami Swechhasebak League before becoming joint general secretary of the Beanibazar Upazila Awami League.
Pallab had also sought to expand his political role beyond the upazila level. Ahead of the 12th parliamentary election held in January 2024, he collected a party nomination form from the Awami League with the intention of contesting the Sylhet-6 constituency, comprising Beanibazar and Golapganj.
His political activities and long-standing presence in Beanibazar made him a recognised figure in the area. His two terms as upazila chairman further strengthened his position in local politics.
According to the police, however, several cases are currently pending against him. The investigation officer said the number of cases filed against Pallab across different police stations is around 20. The police have not provided further details in the information available about the individual cases, including the specific allegations or their current legal status.
The arrest took place in Dhaka rather than Beanibazar, where Pallab has spent much of his political career. Police are expected to proceed with the relevant legal process following his arrest.
Further details concerning the cases, the charges brought against him and the next stages of the legal proceedings will become clearer as the authorities disclose information through the appropriate channels.
