TDS Desk:

Police have arrested Salim Prodhan, a controversial figure linked to the casino scandal, on charges of operating a shisha bar and engaging in other illegal activities.

He was detained around 4:00 am on Saturday from the capital’s Baridhara area.

Gulshan Division Additional Deputy Commissioner Al Amin Hossain said, “Salim Prodhan was running a shisha bar in Baridhara. He was arrested from the bar he owned early in the morning.”

Earlier, on 30 September 2019, Salim was detained by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while attempting to board a flight to Thailand during the nationwide anti-casino drives.

Following his arrest, raids were conducted at his home and office, where large amounts of local and foreign currency, along with foreign liquor, were seized, according to RAB.

Convicted in cases of amassing illegal wealth and money laundering, Salim was sentenced to four years in prison.

In 2024, he submitted nomination papers to contest for the chairman post of Rupganj Upazila Parishad. However, his candidacy was cancelled by the returning officer during scrutiny, as his conviction in a criminal case disqualified him from the election.