Retired army sergeant Abdul Awal has accused Judicial Magistrate of Mymensingh, A.K.M. Shifatulllah, and his close relatives of fraud, case manipulation, and abuse of power that allegedly devastated his family. He made the allegations at a press conference held on Saturday at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.

Fraud Allegations

According to Abdul Awal, after serving in the Bangladesh Army for 26 years, his son, Ashraful Imran Hridoy, came into contact with Magistrate Shifatulllah through an acquaintance, Mazharul Islam Tushar. The magistrate allegedly took several cheques, stamps, and around Tk 14.7 lakh from Hridoy, promising opportunities in supplying auctioned goods. However, the money was never returned; instead, the family faced a series of fabricated cases.

Case Manipulation

Awal alleged that five cases—C.R. Case Nos. 453/24, 579/24, 706/24, 49(1)/25, and 578/24—were filed, claiming nearly Tk 77 lakh. The complainants and witnesses in these cases reportedly include Shifatulllah’s mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, uncles-in-law, grandfather-in-law, office assistant Farid Uddin, and other close relatives.

Although several attempts were made to reach settlements through local mediators, new cases were filed each time, Awal claimed. He further alleged that after his son was denied bail, he was threatened with being implicated in political cases while in prison.

Discrepancy in Date of Birth

At the press conference, Awal also questioned Shifatulllah’s date of birth, alleging that he used false information to enter service. As per the magistrate’s National Identity Card, he was born on January 2, 1993, while his elder brother, Nur Mohammad Abdullah, was born on July 17, 1992. Awal argued that it was impossible for two brothers to be born within just five months of each other.

“Fraud from the Judge’s Bench”

In an emotional statement, Abdul Awal said:

“Fraud and case manipulation from the seat of a judge can never uphold the dignity of justice. He has not only ruined my family but has also defrauded many ordinary people. Today, I am destitute.”

He demanded a fair investigation, justice, and the removal of the accused magistrate from the judiciary.