Former MP Shahjahan shown arrested in local BNP leader Ishaq’s murder case

Former Jhalakathi-1 lawmaker Muhammad Shahjahan Omar has been shown arrested as a suspect in a case filed over the killing of local BNP leader Ishaq Jomaddar during the July Uprising.

The order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Alam today (30 August) following a police petition.

Earlier, the case investigation officer, Adabar Police Station Sub-Inspector Mahesh Chandra Singha, submitted an application seeking to show Shahjahan Omar arrested in the case. Following the petition, the court passed the order.

The application stated that protesters were subjected to indiscriminate firing on the instructions of top Awami League leaders, including Sheikh Hasina, which led to Ishaq's death.

It said showing Shahjahan Omar arrested in the case was necessary for a proper investigation and to prevent him from going into hiding after securing bail.

The application also mentioned that several murder, corruption and explosives cases filed with different police stations, including New Market and Rajapur Police Station in Jhalakathi, are pending against him.

According to the case statement, Ishaq Jomaddar, 50, was the former organising secretary of the BNP's Ward No 30 unit under Adabar Police Station. He was shot during the movement on 5 August 2024 near the Shyamoli Club ground in Adabar.

He was taken to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in critical condition, where doctors declared him dead. He was later shown arrested as a suspect in the case filed over the incident.

Earlier, police arrested former Jhalakathi-1 MP Shahjahan Omar on 20 November 2024. He has remained in jail since then.