Court crowd sings Momtaz hit song as ex-MP appears before judge

A routine court hearing turned into an unusual scene on Wednesday (June 24) as supporters and curious onlookers broke into lines from popular folk singer and former lawmaker Momtaz Begum’s hit song “Bukta Faita Jay” after spotting her at a Dhaka court.

Momtaz, a former Member of Parliament and one of Bangladesh’s most recognized folk music artists, was brought before a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in connection with a case linked to an attempted murder allegation stemming from the anti-discrimination student movement.

Witnesses said many people gathered around the court premises, with some asking who she was and others immediately recognizing the veteran singer. Several visitors were heard singing lines from her famous song, while others jokingly requested that she perform once more.

The singer arrived at court wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest as part of heightened security measures.

Following a hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam approved an application to show Momtaz arrested in the case and ordered that she be sent back to jail.

The application had been filed by Mirpur Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Azizul Haque, the investigating officer in the case. Prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi told the court that Momtaz, a former MP, is facing multiple cases and alleged that investigators had found evidence linking her to activities supporting the then-government during the student movement.

Defense lawyers opposed the application, arguing that Momtaz had no involvement in the incident and claiming that multiple cases filed against her over the same events were inconsistent with the facts.

According to court documents, the case stems from an incident on August 4, 2024, when Moktar Hossain was allegedly shot during clashes near the Swimming Pool and Fire Service Road areas of Mirpur. After receiving treatment, he later filed an attempted murder case.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted the prosecution’s request and formally showed Momtaz arrested in the case.

Momtaz was previously arrested from a residence in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area on May 12. Following a four-day remand, she was sent to jail and has remained in custody since.

A prominent figure in Bangladesh’s folk music scene, Momtaz Begum entered politics in 2008 when she became a Member of Parliament through a reserved women’s seat under the Awami League banner. She later won the Manikganj-2 constituency in both the 2014 and 2018 parliamentary elections, before losing her seat in the 2024 national polls.