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TL;DR:
- Former DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam arrested in Mohakhali DOHS amid post-government change investigations.
- Atiqul faces multiple cases following the Awami League government’s fall, details undisclosed.
- His arrest is part of a larger crackdown, with over 92,000 accused in 1,474 cases in 51 days.
- Political tensions rise as former officials, including ex-PM Sheikh Hasina, face legal scrutiny.
Mohammad Atiqul Islam, the former mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), was arrested on Wednesday evening in the capital’s Mohakhali DOHS area. The arrest comes amid a wave of legal actions against former government officials following the recent change in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed the arrest, stating that Atiqul “is accused in many cases filed after the fall of the Awami League government.” The specific charges against the former mayor have not been disclosed, but they are believed to be part of the ongoing investigations into the previous administration.
Atiqul, a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s business and political circles, is the owner of Islam Group of Industries Ltd and a former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. His political career saw a rapid ascent when he was elected DNCC mayor in 2019 following the death of his predecessor, Anisul Haq. He was re-elected in 2020, though both elections faced allegations of irregularities.
The arrest follows a tumultuous period for Atiqul. On August 18, just days after the fall of the Awami League government, he visited the DNCC office in Gulshan. As protesters gathered outside the building, Atiqul reportedly escaped through the fire escape stairs behind the Nagar Bhaban. The following day, on August 19, the interim government removed all city mayors from their posts.
This development is part of a larger crackdown on former government officials and Awami League members. According to recent reports, over 92,000 individuals have been accused in 1,474 cases filed in the 51 days following the change in government. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself faces 220 cases, while other high-ranking officials, including former ministers and MPs, are also under scrutiny.
The arrest of Atiqul Islam highlights the ongoing political tensions in Bangladesh and the new administration’s efforts to investigate alleged wrongdoings of the previous government. As the situation continues to unfold, many are watching closely to see how these legal actions will shape the country’s political future.
