Cox's Bazar chef accused in July violence cases in Dhaka and Ctg, denies leaving district in three years

Abdul Alim, a chef nearing 70 who has been working at Cox's Bazar's state-run Motel Shaibal for 38 years, has been named as an accused in several politically charged cases in Dhaka and Chattogram.

Alim, who served as a regular employee for 32 years and has continued on contract for the past six, is accused in two cases filed over casualties during the July movement.

One case was lodged at Dhaka's Badda Police Station on 23 July this year, and another at the Chattogram Chief Metropolitan Court on 1 September.

His elder daughter Sonia Akter, his younger daughter's husband Abu Sufian Sojib, and his son Khayrul Alam Jeki have also been accused in these cases.

Two of the three charge sheets have been obtained by the reporter. In the Chattogram case, filed by Sitakunda resident AKM Nurullah, Alim is listed as Accused No. 57, Sojib as No. 62 — described in the FIR as a "Jahangirnagar University Chhatra League armed cadre" — and Jeki as No. 97, accused of attempted murder.

In the Lalbagh Police case, Sonia is listed as Accused No. 41 and identified as a leader of Lalbagh Jubo Mohila League. All three cases also name former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the prime accused.

Alim, however, maintains he has not left Cox's Bazar in the last three years, insisting he was at his workplace on the dates mentioned.

Alim's son-in-law, Sojib, says he completed only higher secondary education and never attended any university, let alone joining Chhatra League, while Sonia and Jeki also deny any involvement in politics.

The family believes they are victims of a personal vendetta. They allege that Sonia's ex-husband, Jakir Hossain of Chattogram's Satkania, arranged to implicate them after their marriage ended in divorce in November 2024.

Alim claims Jakir had hidden the existence of a previous wife and children, leading to disputes and eventual separation, after which he began spreading slander and threatening the family.

Locals are also supporting the family's claim. Ali Hossain, president of Baharchhara Nabo Jagoron Samity, said Alim has lived in the area for nearly four decades and that neither he nor his children have ever been politically active.

"Unfortunately, they are now being accused in cases in both Dhaka and Chattogram," he said.

Attempts to contact Jakir and the plaintiffs of the two cases went unanswered, as all their phones were found switched off.