Former Speaker of Bangladesh’s Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, has been detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of police in Dhaka, prompting concern from her family and human rights organisations.
According to law enforcement officials, a special DB team conducted a pre-dawn operation around 4:30 a.m. on Monday, taking her into custody from her residence in the Dhanmondi area.
Police sources said Chaudhury had been in hiding since the political upheaval that led to the fall of the government headed by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. Since then, speculation had persisted about her whereabouts, with unverified reports circulating on social media.
Family members have expressed deep concern over the manner of her detention, stating that they were not informed beforehand and were initially unaware of where she had been taken. They have urged authorities to ensure her safety and guarantee her access to legal representation.
Human rights organisations have also voiced concern, calling on the authorities to uphold due process and ensure transparency in the case. They stressed that any detention must strictly follow legal procedures and respect fundamental rights, warning against the risks of arbitrary arrest and lack of accountability.
Dr. Chaudhury made history in 2013 as Bangladesh’s first female Speaker and served in the role for over a decade. She was re-elected following the 12th national parliamentary election in January 2024 and also represented the Rangpur-6 constituency in Parliament.
Following the mass protests that forced Sheikh Hasina to resign and leave the country, Chaudhury stepped down from her position and remained out of public view until her detention.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges or legal grounds for her detention, further intensifying concerns among observers and rights advocates.
