Ex-land minister Rezaul Karim Hira taken into police custody

Former Land Minister and senior Awami League leader Rezaul Karim Hira was taken into police custody along with his wife on Tuesday after they were besieged by local BNP activists at the Sherpur Sadar Sub-Registry Office.

The incident unfolded around 3:00 PM, when Hira and his wife arrived at the registry office to complete formalities related to a land deed registration, according to eyewitnesses.

Upon learning of the former minister’s presence, activists from the BNP and its affiliated organisations gathered at the office premises, chanting slogans and surrounding the couple in protest. The tense standoff continued for more than two hours.

At approximately 5:30 PM, police personnel from Sherpur Sadar Police Station intervened, rescuing the couple from the crowd and escorting them into protective custody to prevent further escalation.

“Mr. Hira and his wife are currently in our custody for their own safety,” Sub-Inspector Md Ansar Ali of Sherpur Sadar Police Station confirmed to reporters.

Rezaul Karim Hira, a veteran politician, was first elected to Parliament from Jamalpur-5 in 1991 as an independent candidate, later joining the Awami League. He was re-elected in 1996, 2001, and 2008, and appointed Minister of Land in 2009 under the Awami League-led government.

In the 2014 general election, boycotted by the BNP, Hira secured victory against Jatiya Party candidate Babar Ali Khan and served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Land.

Though he submitted nomination papers for the 2018 general election, Hira later withdrew after failing to secure party endorsement.

As of Tuesday evening, no formal charges have been filed against him or his wife, and police have not indicated whether the couple would be released or further legal action would follow.