AL leader accused in 17 cases arrested in Lakshmipur

Army personnel arrested a local Awami League (AL) leader, Shahjalal Molla, from the Karatirhat area under Lakshmipur Sadar upazila on Wednesday night.

Shahjalal Molla, a leader of Char Ramonimohon union under Sadar upazila, is reportedly accused in at least 17 criminal cases, including charges of murder, extortion and illegal occupation of char lands.

According to police and local sources, Molla was actively involved in various criminal activities in both Sadar upazila and its remote char areas during the Awami League's tenure in power. Law enforcement agencies had been making continuous efforts to apprehend him, but he had managed to evade arrest. He went into hiding following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, 2024.

On information, an army team conducted a raid in Karatirhat and apprehended him. 

Authorities said Molla was also directly involved in the attack on activists of the anti-discrimination student movement on August 4 last year.

Md Abdul Monnaf, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sadar Thana, confirmed that Shahjalal Molla was handed over to the police shortly after his arrest for further legal action.