Former Speaker Shirin Sharmin 'Missing'

Amar Desh (Oct 26) reports that former Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury is untraceable, with the government admitting it has no current information on her location. Persistent rumours suggest she has already crossed into India with her husband, evading authorities.

The interim government remains in a bind over legal action due to a murder case filed against her on August 27, 2024, in Rangpur Metropolitan Court. Plaintiff Dilruba Akter alleges Shirin ordered the killing of her husband, gold trader Muslim Uddin, during clashes on July 19 amid the anti-discrimination movement. Despite a court-ordered CID probe, no progress has been made in over a year, and no arrests have occurred. CID Inspector Samiul Alam told Amar Desh: “Investigation is advanced; charge sheet expected soon.”

Inter-ministerial friction is evident. The Home Ministry accuses Shirin of being the “key enabler” of Sheikh Hasina’s “fascist” rule during her unprecedented four-term Speakership, legitimising killings, disappearances, and corruption. Officials say they are ready to act on court orders but fault policymakers for the stalled probe and failure to punish passport office staff who allegedly helped her secure a regular e-passport after her diplomatic one was revoked post-August 5.

On October 3 last year, Shirin and her husband applied online for e-passports using a Dhanmondi address, submitting biometrics remotely in secrecy. The applications were later cancelled, with an immigration official confirming: “Corrupt officials were involved; we’re identifying them.”

Intelligence reports conflict: one agency claims she is living with her husband and younger son at a relative’s secure residence in Dhaka; another insists she illegally crossed the land border into a neighbouring country. Home Ministry officials admit: “We have no official confirmation—some say she’s in Dhaka, others say she’s gone.”

Amar Desh details her movements: earlier this year in Khilkhet, she evaded an arrest attempt and relocated to a highly secure location. Even while in hiding, she managed passport biometrics. On August 5, as Hasina fled, Shirin was at her parliament lakeside residence, working until crowds approached. She left abruptly in her personal car with family, abandoning security.

She clung to her post longer than most, resigning only on September 2—27 days after Hasina’s escape—via courier from an unknown location.

Plaintiff Dilruba expressed frustration: “I filed with clear evidence. Police know she’s in Dhaka but do nothing. CID hasn’t contacted me. If this government fails to deliver justice, where do I go?”

Law Ministry clarified its limited role: “Investigation is with Home Ministry; courts will act post-report.” A recent gazette mandates speedy tribunal trials for July uprising-related killings (except ICT cases), with a special committee to expedite prosecution.

Amar Desh notes Shirin’s rapid rise—first female Speaker in 2013, elected uncontested in 2014 by-election (Hasina’s vacated Rangpur-6 seat), re-elected in 2018 and 2024 “dummy” polls—always under Hasina’s direct patronage.