Jamaat Leader Suspended Over Allegations of Bribing Judge

Advocate Md. Ruhul Amin Shikdar, a Public Prosecutor (PP) at the Patuakhali Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal and a Rokon member of the district Jamaat-e-Islami, has been temporarily suspended from his party duties following allegations of attempting to bribe a judge. The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has also formed a five-member investigation committee to probe the matter.

The announcement was made through a press release signed by the district Jamaat secretary, Professor Shahidul Islam Al Kaiysari, on Thursday night (August 21, 2025).

According to the press release, after reports of professional misconduct by Ruhul Amin surfaced, district and municipal Jamaat leaders held an emergency meeting. Based on the meeting’s decision, his membership has been temporarily suspended, and an investigation committee has been tasked with submitting a report within three working days. Professor Shahidul Islam Al Kaiysari, the district Jamaat secretary, stated, “We learned about the issue through various sources. Although we haven’t received direct confirmation, since the district bar association has suspended his membership, we have taken similar action. A final decision will be made after receiving the committee’s report.” On Wednesday morning, in connection with a gang rape case (261/25) in Kalapara, Ruhul Amin allegedly sent an envelope containing Tk 50,000 and case documents to the residence of Judge Nilufar Shirin to secure bail for an accused. Feeling insulted, the judge lodged a written complaint with the Bar Council’s secretary. The judge’s complaint noted that Ruhul Amin had previously sent her WhatsApp messages regarding bail for an accused in the same case. Outraged by the direct attempt to bribe her, she felt compelled to file a formal complaint. The complaint further alleged that Ruhul Amin had previously lobbied on behalf of accused parties in various cases and created pressure through different means when court orders did not align with his expectations. He is also accused of contacting the accused’s side in the high-profile ‘July Martyr Jasim’s Daughter Lamia Rape Case’ (37/25).

Following the incident, the district bar association held an emergency meeting on Thursday, unanimously deciding to suspend Ruhul Amin’s primary membership, issue a show-cause notice, and recommend departmental action. The association’s written decision will be sent to the district administration, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Law Ministry, and the Chief Justice’s office, among other relevant authorities.