Ex-Jhalakathi MP Omar arrested, sent to jail while trying to file case over vandalism of his car, house

A Jhalakathi court has sent former lawmaker Shahjahan Omar to jail in a case filed over the vandalism of a local BNP office in Kathalia upazila.

He was earlier arrested in the case today (21 November) while he tried to file a case over the vandalism of his car and house allegedly by BNP men in the district.

He was later produced in the court of Jhalakathi Senior Judicial Magistrate Afroza Binte  Shaheed, which sent him to jail as no lawyer represented him and the police did not seek his remand, said Jhalakathi Court Police Inspector Pulak Chandra Roy. 

According to eyewitnesses, BNP activists threw eggs and sandals at Omar on the court premises. He was later taken to jail with additional security from the police.

Former member of parliament from Jhalakathi-1 constituency, Omar was arrested by police following attacks on his car and house.

Following his arrest, Omar talked to the media and alleged that Jhalakathi's Rajapur upazila BNP President Abul Kalam Azad and General Secretary Nasik Akon led the attack on his house and car.

"I was assaulted when I came to the village to work on my sister's cemetery. My car was vandalised. Rajapur Upazila BNP president Abul Kalam Azad and General Secretary Nasim Akan led the attack on my house and car. I wanted to participate in an Armed Forces Day programme at Lebukhali Cantonment. But now I don't have a car, how can I go there?"

He continued, "As I was injured, I was coming to the police station to file a case. Police said I have been arrested in a case filed with Kanthalia Police Station. But I didn't know about the case.

"I am not afraid of these cases. I will be an MP-minister again in this country."

According to locals, Omar's car was attacked by alleged BNP activists around 8:45am today when he tried to enter Rajapur upazila, which falls under Jhalakathi-1 constituency.

Miscreants ambushed his car when he crossed the Baraibari area of the upazila border and reached the North Pingri area. He was injured in the incident and went to his village home in Sangar village to take shelter for some time.

Later, when he went to Rajapur police station around 10am to file a vandalism case, some alleged BNP activists surrounded the police station. Police arrested Shahjahan Omar in another case filed with Kathalia police station.

Confirming the matter, Additional Superintendent of Police Muhitul Islam said there is a regular case against Omar with Kathalia police station.

"Further legal procedure is underway," Muhitul added.

Meanwhile, Rajapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Islamil Hossain said, "Angry BNP leaders and activists protested outside the police station after former MP Shahjahan Omar came to the station. The police removed them and arrested Shahjahan Omar as the main accused in a case filed with the Kanthalia Police Station."

When asked if they registered Omar's complaint, the OC said, "The complaint will be registered if we get instructions in this regard."

When asked who would give the instruction, the OC declined to give an answer.

Earlier, Omar's house, in Godownghat area in Jhalakathi Sadar upazila, came under attack yesterday (20 November) when some alleged BNP men went there from a protest procession and threw bricks at the house.

The protest procession took place when news broke out that Omar was about to visit Rajapur today.

No major loss was recorded during the attack except for some window panes getting broken, said Shahjahan's nephew Rafiqul Islam Dulal.

Confirming the matter, Dulal said some unidentified youth threw bricks at the house in the evening.

"Glasses of three windows got broken due to the attack. Although nothing serious happened, we were terrified during the attack," Dulal said.

Although Shahjahan was a senior BNP leader, he left the party and joined the Awami League during the 12th national parliamentary elections and became an MP from Jhalakathi-1.

He went into hiding after the political changeover on 5 August.