Ex-MP Henry shown arrested in graft case

A Dhaka court has approved a petition to show former Sirajganj-2 MP Jannat Ara Henry arrested in a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Zakir Hossain Ghalib made the decision on Monday.

ACC Court Inspector Amir Hossain said that Asif Al Mahmud, ACC assistant director and investigating officer in the case, petitioned for Henry to be shown arrested in the case on Jan 1.

The ACC filed two cases against Henry and her husband, former Sirajganj district council chairman Shamim Talukder, on Dec 22.

A court had previously issued a travel ban on Henry, her husband Shamim and her daughter Muntaha Ridayi Lam on Nov 25. Then, on Jan 12, the court ordered the seizure of 50 acres of land and 16 cars belonging to Henry. In addition, it froze 19 bank accounts and shares in four companies.

Henry won the Sirajganj-2 seat in the 2024 general election as an Awami League candidate.

In 2008, Henry created a stir by getting the nod from the party in the parliamentary elections despite her previous post as assistant teacher at Shobuj Kanon High School in Sirajganj. She lost to BNP candidate Rumana Mahmud in the race. After the Awami League came to power, Henry was appointed as a member of the Sonali Bank Board of Directors in 2009. Her name came up in discussions of various incidents, including loan scandals at the bank.