Controversy Erupts Over Awami League Legal Aid Committee

The recently formed 'Bangladesh Legal Aid Committee' by the Awami League to provide legal assistance and support to party leaders and activists has triggered intense internal anger and controversy immediately after its launch. Grassroots leaders and activists allege that many individuals who provided free legal aid to party members under extreme and hostile circumstances following the fall of the government were excluded from the committee. Conversely, the committee has accommodated individuals accused of having ties to Jamaat-Shibir, opportunistic behavior, and running a 'bail trade' by exploiting vulnerable party members in distress.

Lawyer Farzana Yasmin (Rakhi), A Pillar of Hard Times, Left Out

Party sources report that Supreme Court lawyer Farzana Yasmin (Rakhi) emerged as the most prominent figure providing legal services to Awami League leaders and workers following the government's fall. Amid changing circumstances, she has provided legal services to over three hundred party members so far. 

She recently participated in multiple remand and tribunal hearings on behalf of former ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak. Additionally, she played a major role in securing bail for six Awami League and Chhatra League leaders and activists from Jashore and Munshiganj arrested over a 'secret meeting' in Gulshan, five individuals including teacher Mukib from Lalmonirhat, and jailed Jubo Mohila League leader Shilpi Begum along with her 4.5-month-old infant. She even fought a legal battle on behalf of a rickshaw-puller who was mob-attacked while trying to lay flowers at Dhanmondi 32.

On August 4, at the Dhaka Judge Court premises, she faced an attack by BNP-leaning lawyers inside her chamber, and threats were made to shut it down. Grassroots members have expressed anger that despite all these contributions, her name was left out of the committee.

Asked about this, Farzana Yasmin (Rakhi) said, 'I did not provide legal aid to leaders and workers in hope of any post or reward. I worked at my own risk, driven by my conscience during the party's gravest crisis. I have no regrets about being on the committee or not. However, recognizing dedicated lawyers would have further boosted everyone's morale.'

'Covert Jamaat' Hiron and His 'Bail Trade'

On the other hand, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman (Hiron) of the Dhaka Judge Court has secured a central membership position in this committee, despite specific allegations of involvement with Chhatra Shibir politics and engaging in bail trading.

According to available information, after passing his HSC from Bhairab College in 2008, he enrolled in the Mugda branch of the Jamaat-financed Bangladesh Islamic University with the help of his uncle, Jamaat leader Maulana Mizanur Rahman. There, he was directly involved with Chhatra Shibir politics and participated in secret meetings and processions. His dream was derailed when a secret romance and marriage were exposed while he was transitioning from a Shibir 'worker' to an 'associate'.

Later, after joining the legal profession, he cleverly focused on cultivating close ties with Awami League leaders as a covert operative. Following this trajectory, he emerged into Awami politics by building a good relationship with the then-Member of Parliament for the Jashore-4 constituency during the 2023 national election.

However, after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, he flipped his allegiance once again. On August 8, he posted on Facebook referring to the then-coordinators and advisors of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement as the 'finest sons of the nation.'

A faction of the party alleges that he has flipped his disguise once again. Taking advantage of the vulnerability of stranded Awami League leaders and activists, he is conducting 'bail trades' in the High Court in collusion with senior BNP-leaning lawyers. A large portion of the hard-earned money from these leaders and workers ends up in the pockets of influential lawyers. Allegations indicate he has been traveling domestically and internationally with this money.

Entire Family Linked to Jamaat-Shibir Politics

Investigations reveal that Hiron’s entire family is actively linked with Jamaat-e-Islami politics. His father, retired army personnel Ismail Molla, is an active Jamaat worker. His second uncle, Maulana Mizanur Rahman Molla, served as the general secretary of the union Jamaat for 10 years and is currently an Rokon (voter member) of the upazila Jamaat.

Another uncle, Habibur Rahman Molla, was a Shibir 'associate' while studying at Phultala Alia Madrasa and is currently an active union Jamaat worker. Another uncle, Sekendar Molla (Zia), got his start in Shibir politics while studying at the same madrasa. After serving as a Shibir associate for a long time, he is currently the president of the Siddhipasha Union Jamaat professional organization. Furthermore, another uncle, Md. Hasan Molla, is also an active Jamaat worker.

Commenting on the committee formation process and the controversy, a senior Awami League leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, 'Committee formation is an ongoing process. There is no scope to devalue those who stood by party members at the risk of their lives during dark times; they will also be included in the committee in phases.'

Regarding the allegations against the covert leader Hiron, he stated, 'It is a well-established truth that covert members of Jamaat-Shibir are still lurking within various parties. Therefore, when specific allegations of this nature are found against anyone, we will certainly consider their previous political activities and family political ideology with utmost seriousness and take organizational action.'