Former president Mohammad Shahabuddin continues to face mounting scrutiny even after resigning from office and leaving Bangabhaban.
A fresh complaint was filed against him with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Sunday, while a High Court hearing on a writ petition over alleged loan and share irregularities involving Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC and the S Alam Group is scheduled for Wednesday.
The developments have fuelled speculation over whether the former president will face renewed legal and political pressure in the coming days.
Two days after submitting his resignation to the speaker on Friday, Shahabuddin left Bangabhaban on Sunday afternoon and moved to his residence in Gulshan.
Meanwhile, Brigadier General (retd) Hasinur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Azad Party (BAP), submitted a complaint to the office of the chief prosecutor of the ICT on Sunday.
The complaint seeks an investigation into Shahabuddin’s role, as the then president, in connection with allegations of genocide, enforced disappearances, killings and human rights violations during the July mass uprising.
Speaking to reporters after filing the complaint, Hasinur Rahman said, “Despite the large number of people who were killed and injured during the July movement, Shahabuddin, as president, failed to take any effective action. He did not even resign. Therefore, his role should be investigated under the principle of superior command responsibility.”
However, ICT Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam said the tribunal’s investigation agency would first examine the allegations against the former president before any further action was taken.
Former ICT Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam told TIMES of Bangladesh, “Shahabuddin should be brought under the legal process. During the crimes against humanity committed during the July movement, his scope of responsibility, links with deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and any role he may have played will all come under investigation.”
Meanwhile, the High Court is scheduled to hear on Wednesday a writ petition concerning alleged irregularities in the acquisition of shares and control of Islami Bank. The petition also sought an investigation into Shahabuddin’s role.
The writ was filed on 11 March 2025. The High Court subsequently issued a rule directing the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of Bangladesh Bank to conduct an investigation and submit a report.
The BFIU later submitted its 42-page investigation report to the court on 29 October 2025. After a lengthy interval, the writ petition is now due for its next hearing on Wednesday.
Lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir, representing the petitioner, said 24 companies linked to the S Alam Group owned 81.92 per cent of Islami Bank’s shares. He said the chairman of one of those companies, JMC Builders, was S Alam’s son, while Mohammad Shahabuddin served as the company’s nominated director on the bank’s board of directors.
He later became vice-chairman of the bank and remained in that position until assuming office as president, Monir added.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said at a press conference on Sunday that, under existing rules, the recently retired president would continue to receive all official benefits for the next six months, including security provided by the Special Security Force (SSF), the President Guard Regiment (PGR) and the police.
Responding to questions from journalists in Chattogram, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the government was reviewing Shahabuddin’s past activities.
“The allegations relating to his tenure as chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission and as a director of Islami Bank are being examined. Necessary legal action will be taken after the investigation is completed,” he said.
The law minister added, “The government does not want anyone to be harassed unjustly. However, the allegations will be verified and appropriate legal decisions taken in accordance with the law.”
