Shahjahan Omar


Shahjahan Omar is a Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician and the former State Minister for law. He is retired Major of the Bangladesh Army and was awarded Bir Uttom.

Early life

Omar was born on 24 December 1947. He worked as a practising barrister. After the Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he pledged allegiance to the new government led by Bangladesh Army officers.

Career

Omar was elected to Parliament as a candidate of Bangladesh Nationalist Party from Jhalakati-1 in 2001. He served as the State Minister of Law in the Second Khaleda Cabinet. In 2001 his supporters attacked minority Hindu populations in Jhalakati-1 to intimidate them from voting against him.
On 27 October 2007, Bangladesh Anti Corruption Commission sued Omar for corruption. On 14 May 2008 Omar was sentenced 13 years’ imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka. Bangladesh High Court acquitted him on 15 August 2010. On 16 September 2014, Bangladesh Supreme Court allowed the Anti-Corruption Commission to start the process to appeal the Bangladesh High Court verdict.

Personal life

Omar is married to Mehjabin Farzana Omar, and they have a son, Adnan Omar.