A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant against Bangladesh’s star cricketer and politician, Shakib Al Hasan, in connection with a dishonoured cheque case involving IFIC Bank.
The warrant, issued by Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ziadur Rahman, also names three others implicated in the case.
Shakib, a former Awami League lawmaker, has been staying abroad since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country following her ousting during a student movement.
The case, filed by Shahibur Rahman, a Relationship Officer of IFIC Bank, accuses Shakib and three co-defendants of failing to honor a commitment to repay BDT 4,14,57,000 via two cheques.
These cheques, issued by Shakib’s company, Al Hasan Agro Farm Ltd., were intended to partially repay loans borrowed from IFIC Bank’s Banani branch but were dishonoured due to insufficient funds.
The other individuals named in the case include Gazi Shahagir Hossein, Managing Director of Al Hasan Agro Farm Ltd., and directors Emdadul Haque and Malaikar Begum.
Shakib was first implicated in the cheque fraud case on December 15, 2024. Following an initial hearing on December 18, the court had ordered him to appear before it on January 19, 2025. His failure to comply has now led to the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Shakib joined politics in 2023 as a member of the Awami League and secured a parliamentary seat representing the Magura-1 constituency in the uncontested January 7, 2024 elections. However, his foray into politics has been controversial, with public perception of the cricket star taking a hit.
Compounding his troubles, Shakib was also implicated in a murder case linked to political unrest in Bangladesh, which disrupted his plans to retire from Test cricket in a home series against South Africa. Citing security concerns and potential interrogation by law enforcement, Shakib declined to return to Bangladesh.
With his family currently residing in the United States, it seems unlikely that Shakib will return to Bangladesh in the near future. His legal troubles and absence from the cricket field have cast a shadow over the legacy of one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated athletes.