Former Minister’s Son Arrested in July Attempted Murder

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 attempted murder of activist Al Amin during the July 2024 protests in Aftabnagar, Dhaka. The decision came following a hearing on the application submitted by the case’s investigating officer.

Superintendent of Prosecution Zakir Hossain confirmed the development, stating that SI Harun-or-Rashid of Badda Police Station, the investigation officer of the case, filed a request on 20 January to have Asibur placed under arrest. The court had scheduled Monday for the hearing in the presence of the accused.

During the proceedings, Asibur, a former chairman of Madaripur Sadar Upazila, was presented in court. His legal counsel, Morished Hossain Shaheen, represented him, while prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon argued in favour of issuing the arrest warrant. After reviewing the submissions, the court approved the request to have Asibur arrested in connection with the case.

The case stems from an incident on 19 July 2024, when Al Amin, a protestor at Aftabnagar in front of East West University, was shot in the leg during clashes with supporters of the ruling party and its affiliated organisations. He received immediate medical treatment at a nearby hospital.

Following the attack, on 10 September 2024, Al Amin filed a case at Badda Police Station against 16 individuals, including the then-former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing attempted murder. Subsequent investigations linked Asibur to the incident, and he was taken into custody at Shahjalal International Airport on 26 September 2024. He had also been implicated in multiple other cases involving murder and attempted murder prior to this order.

For clarity, the key events in the case are summarised below:

Authorities have emphasised that the case will continue to be investigated thoroughly, and any other individuals involved will be held accountable under the law. Superintendent Zakir Hossain noted, “The court-approved arrest of Asibur Rahman Khan is a significant step in the ongoing investigation, ensuring justice for the victims of the July 2024 incident.”

The arrest has drawn attention amid Bangladesh’s politically charged environment, highlighting the judiciary’s role in upholding accountability, even against high-profile figures. Legal observers note that the progression of this case may have wider implications for ongoing investigations into politically motivated violence during mass protests.