Former Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury Detained; To Appear in Court Today

The detention was confirmed by DB Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. According to law enforcement sources, Dr. Chaudhury was taken into custody at approximately 4:30 AM on Monday night from a residence on Road 8/A in the Dhanmondi area of the capital. This marks the first time the high-profile leader has been apprehended since going into hiding following the fall of the Awami League government in a student-led mass uprising.

Following her detention, the former Speaker was transported to the DB office on Minto Road, where she is currently undergoing interrogation. Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam stated that Dr. Chaudhury faces several legal charges, including the murder case of goldsmith Muslim Uddin in Rangpur, as well as separate cases filed at the Uttara and Banani police stations in Dhaka. Authorities intend to formally show her arrested in one of the Dhaka-based cases and produce her before a court this afternoon. A final decision regarding a remand prayer for further questioning has yet to be finalized by the investigative team.

The court premises in Dhaka have been placed under stringent security ahead of her scheduled appearance. Law enforcement agencies have deployed additional personnel to prevent any untoward incidents, given the political sensitivity surrounding the arrest of such a high-ranking official from the previous administration. Dr. Chaudhury had served as the Speaker of the House for over a decade, and her sudden detention is being viewed as a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings against top leaders of the ousted regime.