TDS Desk:

Following the ouster of Awami League government, former Whip and MP of Chattogram-12 (Patiya) constituency Shamsul Haque Chowdhury and his son Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun have disappeared without a trace.

There is widespread speculation that the current administration will take action against this MP, who was involved in casino operations and other controversial activities during the Awami League’s rule.

Locals believe Shamsul has fled with his family and is hiding in Chattogram, fearing arrest and punishment.

Shamsul Haque Chowdhury was elected MP three times under Awami League’s nomination. However, due to widespread irregularities and corruption, he ran as an independent candidate in the last election and suffered a resounding defeat.

Locals claim that while in office, Shamsul, his son Sharon, and his brother Mujibul Haque Chowdhury Nawab were involved in casino businesses, land grabbing, extortion, enforced disappearances and murders, causing great distress to the people of the area.

While an MP, Shamsul facilitated gambling and casino activities in sports clubs. At that time, he publicly expressed his anger towards the Awami League government’s anti-casino operations, putting party leaders in an embarrassing position. His comments sparked nationwide criticism.

Following the incident, Shamsul was assaulted by locals several times and faced protests, including a “shoe march” in his constituency. On several occasions, he was chased away from meetings. After Sheikh Hasina’s resignation following the student uprising, Shamsul, who rose to power like Aladdin’s magic lamp, has now gone underground.

A 2019 Facebook post by police inspector Mahmud Saiful Amin also sheds light on Shamsul’s illegal income. The post alleged that Shamsul earned Tk5 lakh daily from Chattogram Abahani Club and millions annually through stadium rentals. Over five years, his income from gambling amounted to Tk180 crore.

Former joint convener of Patiya Upazila Jubo League, DM Zamir Uddin, said that Shamsul once defended casinos to journalists at Chattogram Circuit House, claiming that clubs like Abahani, Mohammedan, and Muktijoddha couldn’t be destroyed as they participated in the Premier League. He argued that the government didn’t pay the players and that the clubs had to be managed somehow.

Nasir Uddin, former general secretary of Patiya Upazila Awami League, said, “Shamsul Haque Chowdhury is one of the key figures who tarnished the Awami League’s image. Had strict action been taken against corrupt leaders like him, the Awami League wouldn’t be in this predicament Saturday.”

A senior official at Chattogram Abahani Ltd, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Shamsul became the club’s general secretary in 1999-2000. During a trip to London with a football team under the four-party alliance government, he faced allegations of human trafficking for taking more members than authorised. This led to his expulsion from the club.”

In 2007, ahead of Chattogram Abahani’s participation in the Bangladesh League, an account was opened at Premier Bank following FIFA guidelines. However, Shamsul and another individual withdrew money without the then-president Didarul Alam’s knowledge, leading to the account’s suspension.

Didarul Alam, the club’s founding general secretary, told the media at the time that Shamsul had destroyed the sports sector by introducing gambling at the club, and it was vital to expel corrupt individuals from the sports arena.

Mofizur Rahman, general secretary of Chattogram South District Awami League, expressed his dismay, stating, “We are shocked and embarrassed by comments made by hybrid leaders like Shamsul against the government. It’s time to identify these leaders.”