Top Bangladeshi Economist Abul Barkat Arrested in Corruption Case, Sparks Outcry

In a move that has triggered widespread concern among human rights advocates and opposition groups, renowned Bangladeshi economist and former Janata Bank chairman Abul Barkat has been arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch in connection with a corruption case.

The arrest, which occurred following a late-night raid on his residence, is being widely perceived as a politically motivated attempt to silence a vocal critic of the government. Barkat’s daughter confirmed that over 20 police officers arrived at their home unannounced and took him into custody.

Barkat, a respected academic who served as a professor at Dhaka University for four decades, is well known for his work defending the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly the Hindu community. He has also been an outspoken critic of radical Islamist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami, which he has repeatedly accused of promoting violence and discrimination against minorities. In past remarks, he warned that Hindus could vanish from Bangladesh within 30 years if existing trends continue.

His arrest has raised concerns that the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, is cracking down on dissent ahead of national elections. Many believe Barkat was targeted because of his criticism of the administration’s failure to address rising extremism and to safeguard minority communities.

The case has sparked strong condemnation from rights activists, academics, and political observers who view the arrest as part of a broader attempt to suppress critical voices and weaken civil society during a politically sensitive time.

News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.