A prominent politician in central Bangladesh has been sentenced to prison following a law enforcement raid that uncovered a clandestine pharmaceutical manufacturing facility producing unregulated health products and expired drugs.
Md Bayezid Hossain Shahed, 40, who holds the post of senior joint convener within the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) Faridpur district unit, received a six-month sentence of simple imprisonment from a mobile court on Tuesday evening. Executive Magistrate Insana Tanjin Eco, representing the Faridpur Deputy Commissioner’s Office, presided over the summary trial following a targeted operation on Goalchamot Molla Bari Road in Faridpur town. Alongside the custodial sentence, the tribunal handed down a fine of 10,000 BDT, ordering Shahed to serve additional jail time should he fail to satisfy the monetary penalty. He was subsequently committed to Faridpur District Jail.
The raid focused on M/S Janata Laboratories, a commercial unit owned and operated by Shahed since September 2022. Officials from the district administration launched the inspection to verify whether the facility complied with statutory manufacturing standards, possessed valid licenses, and maintained product safety protocols.
The search revealed an extensive illegal setup producing a broad array of unapproved medical commodities. Inspecting officers seized a large inventory of illicit preparations, including adult aphrodisiacs, uncertified ayurvedic concoctions, and paediatric items such as baby gels. Investigators established that several product lines had passed their expiration dates, while others were mixed using unknown active ingredients without quality control procedures or scientific oversight.
Magistrate Insana Tanjin Eco confirmed that the judicial action was executed under Section 6(1) of the Essential Commodities Control Act, 1956. The statute governs the regulation, production, and distribution of vital supplies, offering a legal mechanism to penalise entities that threaten public safety through fraudulent manufacturing or hoarding.
Pharmaceutical regulation remains a crucial area of public health enforcement, particularly when products involve sensitive categories like paediatric applications and potent supplements. Uncertified formulations pose acute health risks, ranging from severe organ damage caused by undisclosed synthetic compounds to toxic exposure in infants. District officials indicated that the crackdown formed part of a broader mandate to eliminate dangerous, fake pharmaceuticals from local markets.
Shahed, the son of Habibur Rahman, originates from Alphadanga upazila but relocated to Goalchamot to manage his commercial enterprise. His conviction has sent ripples through the local political landscape.
Addressing the arrest, Saif Hasan Khan, Member Secretary of the Faridpur NCP district committee, emphasized that the organisation would not shield members involved in criminal acts. He stated that the party maintains a policy of non-compromise regarding illegal activities and confirmed that internal disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against Shahed. Administrative authorities have not yet announced whether the manufacturing premises will be permanently sealed or subjected to further asset seizure.
