Court issues arrest warrant against ex-Jashore MP Shahin Chakladar in arms case

A Jashore court has issued an arrest warrant against District Awami League General Secretary and former lawmaker Shahin Chakladar in an arms case.

District and Sessions Judge Mahmuda Khatun passed the order today (11 March) after a hearing on the chargesheet, confirmed Additional Public Prosecutor Nur Alam Pannu.

According to the case statement, the Political-4 Branch of the Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette notification on 25 August 2024 suspending all firearm licences and directing licence holders to deposit their weapons with the respective police stations by 3 September.

However, Shahin Chakladar allegedly did not deposit his licensed pistol.

During the investigation, SI Tarek Mohammad Al Nahiyan found that Shahin Chakladar went into hiding with the firearm on the day Sheikh Hasina fled the country, and he has remained absconding since then.

The case statement also mentioned concerns that by fleeing with the weapon in defiance of government instructions, Shahin Chakladar could use it for illegal activities in association with terrorists and criminals.

Kotwali Police Station SI Saiful Islam filed the case under the Arms Act on 28 May 2025.

After completing the investigation, the investigating officer submitted a chargesheet against the former MP.

Following the hearing today, the court accepted the chargesheet and ordered the issuance of an arrest warrant against the absconding accused.

Earlier, on 22 January 2025, a court sentenced Shahin Chakladar to four years in prison in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

During the student-led mass uprising on 5 August 2024, agitated protesters set fire to Shahin Chakladar's five-star hotel in the Chitra Mor area of Jashore town and later torched his residence in Kazipara.

Locals said he went into hiding with his family before the attacks on his establishments.