Dhaka, June 25 (V7N) — “I have committed no crime. My entire family has been loyal to the Awami League. I was elected as an MP as a rebel candidate, but I have no allegations of extortion or land grabbing against me. As both mayor and MP, I have served the people.”

These were the words of Mohammad Faisal Biplob, former Member of Parliament for Munshiganj-3, as he addressed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon following his arrest.

Biplob, brought to court under heavy security, refused protective headgear provided by police. “Do not put a helmet on me,” he told the officers. “If someone wants to attack me, let them. A helmet will not save me.”

According to eyewitness accounts from several lawyers present in the courtroom, the atmosphere grew charged as Biplob's supporters chanted slogans outside the court premises, shouting, “Biplob Bhai! Biplob Bhai!” and “Joy Bangla!”

The arrest stems from a murder investigation linked to violent clashes during a major opposition rally held by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on October 28, 2023, in Dhaka’s Paltan area. During the unrest, a man named Shamim was killed. A murder case was subsequently filed with Paltan Police Station on September 24, 2024.

Detective Branch (DB) Sub-Inspector Ferdous Alam, the investigating officer in the Shamim murder case, presented Biplob before the court on Monday, requesting his transfer to jail custody. After a brief hearing, the magistrate granted the request. Biplob was later transferred to Dhaka Central Jail.

The case adds to the politically sensitive climate in Bangladesh following the 12th parliamentary election cycle, during which Biplob had contested independently after failing to secure the ruling party’s official nomination. Despite his rebel status, he won the seat and continued to assert his loyalty to the Awami League.

Biplob’s arrest is likely to intensify political tensions as investigations continue into the violence that erupted during the BNP’s October 2023 rally.

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