Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Renowned Cricketer-All Rounder in ₹2.5 Crore Cheque Fraud Case

Dhaka (The Uttam Hindu): On January 19, 2025 a Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant for renowned Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan in connection with a cheque fraud case involving IFIC Bank. The warrant was issued by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ziadur Rahman after Shakib failed to appear in court as previously ordered. The case stems from allegations that Shakib and three others dishonored two cheques totaling approximately ₹2.5 crore (around $300,000) related to loans taken by his company, Al Hasan Agro Farm Ltd.

The legal action against Shakib was initiated after a complaint was filed by Shahibur Rahman, a relationship officer at IFIC Bank on December 15, 2024. The bank had issued a legal notice regarding the bounced cheques before proceeding with the case. Alongside Shakib, the court also issued an arrest warrant for Gazi Shahagir Hossain, the managing director of his agro farm for similar reasons.

Shakib has been residing abroad since August 2024 due to concerns for his safety following political unrest in Bangladesh that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. His absence from the country has raised questions about his ability to respond to legal summonses. The court has set a date of March 24 for police to report on the execution of the arrest warrant. This incident adds to a series of controversies surrounding Shakib who is widely regarded as one of Bangladesh's greatest cricketers. He has faced scrutiny not only for financial issues but also for being implicated in a murder case linked to the civil unrest last year. Despite these challenges, Shakib remains a significant figure in Bangladeshi cricket history.