Sylhet, August 24 — Former Appellate Division Judge AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik has been detained by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) while attempting to cross the border illegally at Kanighat in Sylhet. The arrest occurred on Friday, August 23, and video footage of the incident has since surfaced, showing the judge being questioned by BGB personnel.

In the video, a BGB member asks Manik to identify himself. He responds by stating that his name is Justice Shamsuddin Manik and that he hails from Munshiganj. When questioned about his reason for attempting to leave the country, Manik stated that he was fleeing due to fear of the administration. 

Manik also revealed in the footage that he was carrying both British and Bangladeshi passports, several debit and credit cards, and cash amounting to Tk 40,000. He explained that a plan had been made with the assistance of some individuals to help him cross the border for a fee of Tk 15,000. However, he claimed that two young men, who were supposed to facilitate his escape, beat him and took Tk 60-70 lakh from him despite receiving their agreed payment.

The arrest comes on the heels of a case filed against Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, along with former Member of Parliament and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) President Hasanul Haque Inu and Bangladesh Workers Party President and former Minister Rashed Khan Menon. The case was filed on Thursday, August 22, for allegedly making derogatory remarks about the family of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

As the situation develops, further details regarding the charges against Manik and his attempted border crossing remain awaited. The authorities have not yet provided a formal statement on the matter.