Bangladesh’s freshly minted parliament harbors a dark secret: 43 of its 297 newly elected MPs are facing murder charges. Citizens’ group Shujan dropped this bombshell through their meticulous review of lawmakers’ affidavits, grabbing headlines across Dhaka’s media landscape.
The Daily Star’s deep dive reveals that 42 were pre-existing cases, and 12 MPs juggle old and new indictments. This surge in criminal entanglements underscores persistent issues in the nation’s politics.
BNP, riding high on electoral success, leads with over half its MPs (50.24%) mired in active cases. Jamaat-e-Islami isn’t far off at 47.07%. In total, 142 cases pend across the house, 185 historical ones linger in records, and 95 MPs battle dual threats.
Dilip Kumar Sarkar, Shujan’s head, laid bare these stats at a Dhaka event scrutinizing MP disclosures. Compared to the 12th parliament, criminal cases against victors have spiked alarmingly.
Academic credentials are sparse: a mere eight PhDs among 297, alongside 138 postgrads, 93 grads, 20 HSC holders, and 17 SSC completers. Business dominates professions at 61.28% (182 MPs), edging down from prior highs. The rest scatter across law (36), teaching (22), farming (13), politics (8), services (5), and others (27).
Assets tell a tale of opulence: 271 MPs boast over 1 crore taka in wealth, 187 top 5 crores. BNP’s dominance shines with 201 of 209 in the millionaire bracket; Jamaat has 52 of 68. Wealthy hopefuls (55.63% of candidates) converted wins at higher rates, marginalizing poorer aspirants.
The polls on February 12 unfolded mostly without violence, though minor skirmishes dotted the process, per the report.