Shahjahan Omar

• Bangladesh Nationalist Party (1979–2023)
• Bangladesh Awami League (2023–current)

Shahjahan Omar
শাহজাহান ওমর
Minister of State for Law, Justice and Parlimemtary Affairs of Bangladesh
In office 7 April 2003 –29 October 2006
Awards	Bir Uttom [1]
Military service
Allegiance	Pakistan (Before 1971)   Bangladesh
Branch/service	Pakistan Army   Bangladesh Army
Years of service	1968 - 1974
Rank	Major
Unit	Judge Advocate General
Commands	Company Commander of Sector – IX Additional JAG of Army Headquarters JAG of 9th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Bangladesh Liberation War

Shahjahan Omar (born 24 December 1947) is a Bangladeshi politician and a former state minister for law. ^[2] He is a retired major of the Bangladesh Army and was awarded Bir Uttom. ^{[3] [4]} He is a 4 term Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Jhalokati-1 constituency as a member of Bangladesh Awami League.

Early life

Omar was born on 24 December 1947 to Lalmon Habib (d. 2006). ^[5] He passed S.S.C. from Rajapur High School in 1964.In 1966 he passed H.S.C. from Brojomohun College.He was admitted into the University of Dhaka but dropped out in 1967.In 1997 he obtained Bar At Law degree from Lincoln's Inn.

Military career

He joined Pakistan Army in 1967.In 1969 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.He was posted to Kharian Cantonment.He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1970.He escaped from Pakistan on 14 August 1971 and joined the Liberation of War.He was posted to Sector-9.He was awarded Bir Uttam for his bravery in war.After the war he joined the Bangladesh Army.He was promoted to the rank of Major in 1973. He retired from the Army in 1974. ^[6]

Political career

Bangladesh Nationalist Party

Omar was elected to the parliament as a candidate of Bangladesh Nationalist Party from Jhalokati-1 in general elections of 1979,1991,1996,2001. ^[7] He served as the State Minister of Law in the Second Khaleda Cabinet. ^[8] In 2001 his supporters attacked minority Hindu populations in Jhalakati-1 to intimidate them from voting against him. ^[9]

On 27 October 2007, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sued Omar on corruption charges. On 14 May 2008, he was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka. Bangladesh High Court acquitted him in August 2010. In September 2014, Bangladesh Supreme Court allowed ACC to start the process to appeal the High Court verdict. ^[10]

Bangladesh Awami League

Omar served as the vice-chairman of BNP. He resigned from the party on 30 November 2023 and, on the same day, earned the nomination from the arch-rival Awami League party to compete as a candidate for the membership of the Jhalokati-1 constituency at the 2024 Bangladeshi general election. ^{[11] [12]} Later, he was expelled from all the BNP posts. ^[13]

Personal life

Omar is married to Mehjabin Farzana Omar, and they have a son, Adnan Omar. ^[2]

References

1. Bangladesh Gazette of 15 December 1973; Ministry of Liberation War Affairs
2. "Arrest warrant against Shahjahan Omar, family". The Daily Star. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
3. "Contribution of Zia recalled". The Daily Star. 20 January 2000. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
4. "BNP's ex-army officers meet". Banglanews24.com. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
5. "Barrister Shahjahan Omar's mother dies". bdnews24.com. 14 January 2006. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
6. "বীর উত্তম মোহাম্মদ শাহজাহান ওমর". 28 November 2023.
7. "ACC taskforce probes Omar's assets in Barisal". The Daily Star. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
8. "Major parties in crisis to field candidates in Barisal region". The Daily Star. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
9. "2001 still haunts Hindus in Barisal". The Daily Star. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
10. "SC allows ACC to challenge Shahjahan Omar's acquittal". The Daily Star. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
11. Report, Star Digital (30 November 2023). "BNP leader Shajahan to contest polls with AL ticket". The Daily Star. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
12. "BNP leader Shahjahan Omar to contest polls as Awami League candidate". Dhaka Tribune. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
13. "BNP expels Shahjahan over AL nomination". The Daily Star. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.