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Published : 13 May 2026, 09:22 PM
Seba Prokashoni has announced the suspension of all operations, citing allegations of internal irregularities and corruption within the organisation.
The announcement came on Wednesday evening through a notice posted on the publisher’s official Facebook page.
Founded in the 1960s by late writer and publisher Qazi Anwar Hussain, Seba Prokashoni introduced generations of Bangladeshi readers to mystery and thriller fiction.
Following his death four years ago, the publishing house had been run by members of his family, primarily his sons Qazi Shahnur Hussain and Qazi Maimur Hussain.
The notice, signed by Shahnur and posted by Seba Advisor Masuma Maimur, said: “It has recently come to our attention that there have been internal irregularities and corruption at Seba Prokashoni. To ensure a fair and impartial audit process, all activities of Seba Prokashoni are being suspended.”
In a separate post, Masuma said she had served as an advisor to the publisher since 2020 but had gradually withdrawn from active involvement following Anwar Hussain’s death due to “different realities”.
She alleged that some “dishonest individuals” within the organisation had obstructed attempts to implement reforms by misleading Shahnur.
Masuma said concerns over financial management and declining sales led her to personally investigate the matter over the past two months.
“At one stage of the investigation, I obtained preliminary information and evidence that created serious suspicion regarding financial irregularities within the organisation,” she wrote, adding that an independent audit firm would conduct a full audit.
She also said she faced “pressures and complicated situations” after becoming aware of alleged theft within the organisation.
At the same time, her husband Maimur became seriously ill and was admitted to hospital, where doctors had at one stage considered placing him on life support, she said.
“By the grace of Allah, he recovered from that condition, though doctors have advised long-term treatment. He is still hospitalised,” she wrote.
Masuma said she had decided to pursue legal action over the alleged irregularities while also managing her husband’s treatment.
She added that Seba Prokashoni could be restructured as “Seba Prokashoni Private Limited” in the future.
Addressing the publisher’s writers, Masuma said all outstanding royalties would be paid properly, acknowledging that the current situation stemmed from management failures.
She also sought to reassure readers, writing: “As long as I am alive, Seba Prokashoni will not disappear.”
Many readers commenting beneath the announcement post expressed concern over whether the iconic publishing house would be able to return.
