Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) arrested Advocate Kamrul Islam, former Food Minister and Awami League presidium member, in the Uttara-12 sector of the capital on Monday night. The arrest was confirmed by DB Additional Commissioner of Police Rezaul Karim Mallik.
Kamrul Islam, currently serving as the joint general secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan Branch of the Awami League, is accused in multiple cases, including charges of murder. He has been taken to the DB office in Minto Road for further interrogation.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also linked Kamrul Islam to financial misdeeds during his tenure as Food Minister under the previous Awami League government. Allegations include the embezzlement of significant sums of money through the importation of substandard wheat from Brazil.
Investigators revealed that he amassed considerable wealth, including properties in Dhaka, two luxury Toyota Land Cruisers, and assets under the names of his wife and children both domestically and abroad.
Additionally, Kamrul Islam faces accusations of accepting bribes amounting to several crores of taka in connection with irregularities in lower court employee appointments during his time as State Minister for Law.
This arrest comes amid a wave of detentions targeting former ministers and lawmakers following the fall of the fascist Awami League government in August 2024. Kamrul Islam, a two-time Member of Parliament from Dhaka-2 Constituency (Savar-Keraniganj-Kamrangirchar), first gained office in 2008 and later served as Food Minister following his uncontested victory in the 2014 controversial elections.
Authorities are continuing their investigations into the allegations against him.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
