Former Dhaka north mayor Atiqul arrested in Dhaka

He is accused in three cases filed over attacks on students and citizens during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, police say

The former mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation Atiqul Islam has been arrested in continuation of the detention of Awami League MPs and ministers after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Mohammadpur Police Station confirmed that Atiqul had been arrested in the DOHS area in Dhaka’s Mohakhali on Wednesday evening.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police spokesperson Muhammad Talebur Rahman said Atiqul is accused in three cases filed over attacks on students and citizens during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement. He was arrested based on these charges.

Atiqul will be produced before the court on Thursday, said Talebur.

Atiqul first came to prominence when Annisul Huq won the mayoral election for Dhaka North on Apr 28, 2015.

Following Annisul's untimely death, a by-election was held on Feb 28, 2019, in which Atiqul won, supported by the Awami League.

He was re-elected in the regular elections held on Feb 1, 2020, again as the Awami League candidate.

Amid the political shift, on Aug 19, 2024, administrators replaced the mayors of 12 city corporations, including Atiqul.

Atiqul and his brother Shafiqul Islam founded Islam Group in 1985, marking their entry into the garment industry. Atiqul currently serves as the group's director.

He also held the position of president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, or BGMEA, for the 2013-14 term.

Hasina resigned and fled the country for India on Aug 5 in the wake of a mass uprising. After the formation of the interim government on Aug 8, Awami League ministers, state ministers, high-profile leaders and influential parliamentarians have been arrested one by one.

About 50 party members, including former ministers, MPs, advisors and top leaders, are now in jail.