Mob Killings of AL Leaders Will Be Judged: Shajahan Khan’s Warning

Staff Reporter

Awami League Presidium Member and former Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan has warned that those involved in mob killings of party leaders and activists will face justice. He made the statement on Monday (June 23, 2025) while responding to journalists’ questions after appearing at Dhaka’s Metropolitan Magistrate Court.

Shajahan Khan said, “It is unacceptable that Awami League leaders and activists are being killed through mob violence. In the name of mob justice, 162 AL leaders and activists have been murdered. Winter doesn’t end in one month of Magh—justice will be served. Don’t think there won’t be accountability.” When asked about the country’s current situation, he smiled and replied, “You’re seeing it yourselves. One hand can’t clap alone.”

Earlier that morning, Shajahan Khan, former Law Minister Anisul Huq, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s advisor Salman F Rahman were produced in court handcuffed, wearing bulletproof vests and helmets. The handcuffs and helmets were removed after they were placed in the dock. During this time, Shajahan Khan and Anisul Huq conversed with each other and consulted lawyers, while Salman F Rahman remained silent throughout, dressed in white pajama-panjabi and Burmese sandals. He did not respond to journalists’ questions after the hearing.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Alam granted two-day remand for Shajahan Khan, Anisul Huq, and Salman F Rahman in the Jatrabari police station case involving the murder of Sajedur Rahman Omar. The order came after hearing a five-day remand petition.

During the remand hearing, Shajahan Khan addressed Public Prosecutor (PP) Omar Faruk Faruki, saying, “The learned PP is a senior BNP leader. Why are we being repeatedly remanded in ghost cases?” The PP replied, “They held policy meetings at Ganabhaban during the anti-discrimination movement. Shajahan Khan is an AL Presidium member—they’re not ordinary accused. They’ve publicly stated protesters won’t be spared but crushed.” He added, “We didn’t file these cases—victims’ relatives did. We’re only conducting hearings.”

The incident has sparked widespread political debate. While AL supporters call it political vengeance, others view it as a step toward establishing rule of law.