Shahjahan Omar | |
|---|---|
শাহজাহান ওমর | |
| Minister of State for Law, Justice and Parlimemtary Affairs of Bangladesh | |
| In office 7 April 2003 – 29 October 2006 | |
| Prime Minister | Khaleda Zia |
| Preceded by | Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan |
| Member of the Bangladesh Parliament for Jhalokati-1 | |
| Assumed office 10 January 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Bazlul Haque Haroon |
| In office 5 March 1991 – 30 March 1996 | |
| Preceded by | Jahangir Kabir |
| Succeeded by | Bazlul Haque Haroon |
| In office 28 October 2001 – 27 October 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Anwar Hossain Manju |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 December 1947 Rajapur, East Bengal, Pakistan (now, Barisal, Bangladesh) |
| Political party |
|
| Awards |  Bir Uttom[1] |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan (Before 1971) Bangladesh |
| Branch/service |  Pakistan Army Bangladesh Army |
| Years of service | 1967 - 1983 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | Judge Advocate General |
| Commands |
|
| Battles/wars | Bangladesh Liberation War |
Shahjahan Omar (born 24 December 1947)[2] is a Bangladeshi politician and a former state minister for law.[3] He is retired major of the Bangladesh Army and was awarded Bir Uttom.[4][5] He is a 4 term Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Jhalokati-1 constituency as a member of Bangladesh Awami League.
Early life[edit]
Omar was born on 24 December 1947 to Lalmon Habib (d. 2006).[6] He worked as a barrister.[2] After the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he pledged allegiance to the new government led by Bangladesh Army officers.[7]
Political career[edit]
Bangladesh Nationalist Party[edit]
Omar was elected to the parliament as a candidate of Bangladesh Nationalist Party from Jhalokati-1 in 2001.[8] He served as the State Minister of Law in the Second Khaleda Cabinet.[9] In 2001 his supporters attacked minority Hindu populations in Jhalakati-1 to intimidate them from voting against him.[10]
On 27 October 2007, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sued Omar on corruption charges. On 14 May 2008, he was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka. Bangladesh High Court acquitted him in August 2010. In September 2014, Bangladesh Supreme Court allowed ACC to start the process to appeal the High Court verdict.[11]
Bangladesh Awami League[edit]
Omar served as the vice-chairman of BNP. He resigned from the party on 30 November 2023 and, on the same day, earned the nomination from the arch-rival Awami League party to compete as a candidate for the membership of the Jhalokati-1 constituency at the 2024 Bangladeshi general election.[12][13] Later, he was expelled from all the BNP posts.[14]
Personal life[edit]
Omar is married to Mehjabin Farzana Omar, and they have a son, Adnan Omar.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Bangladesh Gazette of 15 December, 1973; Ministry of Liberation War Affairs
- ^ a b "Profile Mr. M. Shahjahan Omar". tritiyomatra.com. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Arrest warrant against Shahjahan Omar, family". The Daily Star. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "Contribution of Zia recalled". The Daily Star. 20 January 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "BNP's ex-army officers meet". Banglanews24.com. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "Barrister Shahjahan Omar's mother dies". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
- ^ "The conspiracy behind the assassination of Bangabandhu". The Daily Star. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "ACC taskforce probes Omar's assets in Barisal". The Daily Star. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "Major parties in crisis to field candidates in Barisal region". The Daily Star. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "2001 still haunts Hindus in Barisal". The Daily Star. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ "SC allows ACC to challenge Shahjahan Omar's acquittal". The Daily Star. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ Report, Star Digital (2023-11-30). "BNP leader Shajahan to contest polls with AL ticket". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
- ^ "BNP leader Shahjahan Omar to contest polls as Awami League candidate". Dhaka Tribune. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ "BNP expels Shahjahan over AL nomination". The Daily Star. 2023-11-30. Retrieved 2023-12-01.