RAB's visit to Mir Ahmad bin Quasem's home linked to Tulip's 2017 questioning: The Times | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 25, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025
RAB's visit to Mir Ahmad bin Quasem's home linked to Tulip's 2017 questioning: The Times

Politics

TBS Report
09 January, 2025, 12:00 pm
Last modified: 09 January, 2025, 10:31 pm

Related News

  • CA orders list of victims killed during Awami League era
  • Britain and India sign free trade pact during Modi visit
  • Awami League reorganising by capitalising on Milestone tragedy: Hasnat
  • AL leaders postpone 'Bangladesh genocide' conference in Delhi
  • Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby

RAB's visit to Mir Ahmad bin Quasem's home linked to Tulip's 2017 questioning: The Times

Journalists in London questioned Siddiq about Mir Ahmad bin Quasem, a British-trained lawyer who was detained under the brutal regime of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina

TBS Report
09 January, 2025, 12:00 pm
Last modified: 09 January, 2025, 10:31 pm
Tulip Siddiq
British MP Tulip Siddiq. Photo: Reuters

Tulip Siddiq, the UK's anti-corruption minister, has been accused of using political influence in Bangladesh, allegedly leading to the terrorisation of a dissident lawyer's family by the country's elite force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

The accusations date back to 2017 when Tulip, 42, was asked by journalists in London about Mir Ahmad bin Quasem, a British-trained lawyer who had been detained in 2016 by the brutal regime of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina.

The RAB, which has been accused of extra-judicial killings and torture, subsequently visited Quasem's home in Dhaka, reports The Times.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Michael Polak, a British barrister representing Quasem, said, "I could not say Tulip ordered them [the RAB] to harass his family. What we're saying is it looks like she tells whoever in Dhaka what has happened and as a result the law enforcement are sent around to harass his family."

There is no suggestion that Tulip was aware that RAB action would be taken against the lawyer's family.

The incident began when journalists from Channel 4 News asked Tulip about Quasem's detention during a 2017 rally in London in support of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was imprisoned in Iran. 

Before the footage aired, the RAB confronted Quasem's mother, sister, wife, and their two young daughters at their home. Polak said that the RAB told the family, "you are talking to people" and "defaming Bangladesh internationally."

The day after the broadcast, 20 heavily armed officers returned, with the commander threatening: "This time we are going and leaving you. But we will make sure if there is any such news come next time we will not be good like this time."

Polak said, "This was a clear threat not to allow this to happen again, or else."

Quasem, who was part of the legal team for his father, an Islamist party leader, was detained without trial in 2016 and released after Sheikh Hasina was deposed as prime minister in August 2024.

Following the incident with the journalists, Tulip filed a police complaint, alleging that she was a victim of "racially aggravated assault". A Scotland Yard spokesperson said on Wednesday that its investigation was closed after "exhausting lines of inquiry."

Tulip referred herself to the prime minister's standards adviser after newspapers showed she was given a £700,000 London flat by a supporter of her aunt's Awami League and her sister received a £650,000 property from one of Hasina's advisers.

A spokesman for the minister said it was "categorically wrong" to suggest the properties were linked to her support for the Awami League.

Supporters of the Awami League in the UK have repeatedly campaigned for Tulip at elections.

World+Biz / Europe

Tulip Siddiq / UK / Keir Starmer / Mir Ahmad bin Quasem / Awami League

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Hasina and Taposh in an event in 2020. Photo: Collected
    Al Jazeera investigation: Hasina, in call with Taposh, talks using helicopter to shoot, crush protesters in July uprising
  • Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque being produced before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court  on 24 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Ex-CJ Khairul sent to jail over July Uprising murder case
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Tariff talks: Bangladesh, US set for crucial virtual meeting on 29 July

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
    Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
  • Fire at Cosmo School in Mirpur on 23 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Fire breaks out at Cosmo School in Mirpur following generator explosion
  • Representational image. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day
  • BB issues dress code for all, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings for female staff
    BB issues dress code for all, discourages short-sleeved or length dresses, leggings for female staff
  • Infographics: TBS
    Stay orders won’t shield defaulters: BB governor 

Related News

  • CA orders list of victims killed during Awami League era
  • Britain and India sign free trade pact during Modi visit
  • Awami League reorganising by capitalising on Milestone tragedy: Hasnat
  • AL leaders postpone 'Bangladesh genocide' conference in Delhi
  • Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby

Features

Illustration: TBS

The future of medicine: How innovations will catalyse quantum leaps in healthcare

2h | The Big Picture
Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

23h | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

2d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

36m | TBS Today
Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

51m | TBS News Updates
Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in prison

Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in prison

1h | TBS Today
The Nvidia Chip Deal Trades Away the United States’ AI Advantage

The Nvidia Chip Deal Trades Away the United States’ AI Advantage

1h | Videos
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net