Image Credit: BCCI
Bangladesh Court Orders Seizure of Shakib Al Hasan’s Assets
A magistrate court in Dhaka has ordered the seizure of assets belonging to prominent Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan in connection with an ongoing fraud investigation. The case stems from allegations that his company, Agro Farm, issued two cheques worth Tk 41.5 lakh each to repay loans taken from a bank branch in Banani. Both cheques reportedly bounced due to insufficient funds. Earlier in January, a warrant had been issued against Shakib in relation to the same matter.
The legal move to seize his property comes as part of efforts to recover the dues and holds significant weight due to Shakib’s high-profile status both in cricket and politics.
Political Links and Rising Scrutiny
Shakib, once affiliated with the Awami League party, served briefly as a lawmaker. His political association with the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has added a layer of controversy amid the shifting political climate. Following a mass student-led uprising that led to the fall of Hasina’s government, several public figures, including Shakib, have come under public and legal scrutiny.
Although he has not been officially charged in connection with the deadly police crackdown during the protests, his name has surfaced among those being investigated. His political alignment and celebrity status have made him a focal point of public anger in the wake of the regime change.
Cricket Career and Current Absence
At the time of the political upheaval, Shakib was playing in a domestic Twenty20 league in Canada. Since then, he has not returned to Bangladesh. Known as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket, Shakib has represented Bangladesh in 71 Test matches, 247 One Day Internationals, and 129 T20 internationals, collecting a total of 712 wickets across formats.
The court’s directive to seize his assets underscores the growing legal pressure on the cricketer, who now faces both financial and reputational challenges. The case marks a notable intersection of sports, politics, and law in Bangladesh’s evolving post-uprising landscape.
