Thursday, 30th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 30th April 2026, 6:02 PM
Authorities in Gaibandha have successfully apprehended a prominent local representative who had been evading justice in connection with a litany of serious criminal charges, including homicide and extortion. Shah Jamal Mia, a member of the Erendabari Union Parishad, was taken into custody by the Phulchari Police on Thursday morning, following a prolonged period as a fugitive.
The arrest was officially confirmed on the night of Thursday, 30 April 2026, by the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Phulchari Police Station, Durul Hoda. Speaking via telephone, the OC detailed that the suspect was intercepted in the remote Algar Char area, situated within the Erendabari Union of Phulchari Upazila.
The suspect, Shah Jamal Mia, serves as the representative for Ward No. 4 of the Erendabari Union Parishad. He is the son of the late Abdul Hamid Sarkar, hailing from the village of Dakatiarchar. Despite his standing as a public official, his criminal record suggests a significant involvement in illegal activities across district lines.
According to police records, Shah Jamal Mia is a named defendant in at least eight separate criminal cases. The charges against him are diverse and severe, reflecting a pattern of alleged violent and predatory behaviour:
Homicide: He is the primary accused in a murder case filed at the Dewanganj Police Station in the neighbouring district of Jamalpur.
Extortion: A specific case regarding the unlawful solicitation of funds (extortion) has been registered against him at the Phulchari Police Station.
Other Offences: Six additional cases are currently pending at the Phulchari Police Station, involving various charges that the police are currently processing as part of the broader investigation.
The apprehension of Shah Jamal Mia follows months of surveillance and failed attempts to locate him. Recognising his status as a high-value fugitive, the Phulchari Police had intensified their efforts to track his movements across the volatile “char” (river island) regions, which often serve as hideouts for criminals due to their geographical isolation and difficult terrain.
Acting on precise intelligence reports regarding his presence in a specific location, a specialised team from the Phulchari Police Station launched a pre-dawn raid on Thursday. The operation targeted a residence in Algar Char where the suspect was believed to be taking refuge. The police managed to surround the premises and secure the arrest without significant incident.
OC Durul Hoda noted that the suspect had managed to remain at large for an extended duration by moving between different island settlements along the Brahmaputra river. His ability to evade the law for so long had been a point of concern for local law enforcement, particularly given the gravity of the murder charge in Jamalpur.
Following his arrest, Shah Jamal Mia was transported to the Phulchari Police Station for preliminary interrogation and the completion of administrative formalities. The police have verified his identity and matched his details with the outstanding warrants issued by the respective courts in both Gaibandha and Jamalpur.
The administration has confirmed that the accused will remain in police custody overnight. He is scheduled to be produced before a Gaibandha court on Friday, 1 May 2026, where the police will formally request that he be remanded to judicial custody. Given the nature of the charges, particularly the allegations of murder and extortion, it is expected that the prosecution will oppose any potential bail application.
The arrest of a sitting Union Parishad member has drawn considerable attention in Gaibandha. Local authorities have emphasised that his status as an elected official did not grant him immunity from the legal process. The Phulchari Police have reiterated their commitment to pursuing all individuals with outstanding warrants, regardless of their social or political standing, to ensure the maintenance of law and order in the riverine districts.
Comments