Former President Abdul Hamid has returned home, putting an end to all speculation, after receiving medical treatment at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. This was confirmed by Group Captain S.M. Ragib Samad, Executive Director of Shahjalal International Airport.
The aircraft carrying the former president landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 1:30 AM on Sunday (June 8). He arrived in Dhaka on a Thai Airways flight (TG-339). Abdul Hamid was brought down from the flight via a wheelchair. He was wearing a shirt and a lungi.
Airport sources stated that after the aircraft carrying former President Abdul Hamid landed in the country, he proceeded to the immigration counter at 1:45 AM. The immigration process took nearly an hour to complete. He then departed the airport. His immigration was completed at 2:45 AM, and he immediately left the airport.
Earlier, on May 6, former President Md. Abdul Hamid traveled to Thailand late last night. The former president left the country on a Thai Airways flight. He was accompanied by his younger son Riad Ahmed Tushar and brother-in-law Dr. A.N.M. Naushad Khan. Abdul Hamid served as president for two consecutive terms during the Awami League government. His departure from the country sparked widespread reactions. In connection with this incident, Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury, the Superintendent of Police in his home district of Kishoreganj, was withdrawn.
Additionally, an additional Superintendent of Police assigned to immigration at Dhaka Airport was withdrawn, and a sub-inspector, who was the investigating officer in the case against Abdul Hamid in Kishoreganj, and an assistant sub-inspector of the SB (Special Branch) were temporarily suspended. Police also formed a committee to investigate the former president's departure from the country.
Subsequently, the government formed a high-level committee comprising three advisers, with Education Adviser Professor C.R. Abrar as its president. The other two members are Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, and Brigadier General (Retd.) M. Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Labor and Employment.
Notably, Abdul Hamid, known as "Bhatir Shardul" (Tiger of the Wetlands) and an eight-time elected Member of Parliament, was elected President of Bangladesh on April 24, 2013, during the Awami League's tenure, after serving as Deputy Speaker and Speaker. He assumed office for his second term on February 7, 2018. After his term ended, Md. Shahabuddin was sworn in as president on April 24, 2023. After leaving Bangabhaban, Abdul Hamid resided at his home in Nikunja, Dhaka. Last year, on August 5, during the student-people's uprising, Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and almost all top leaders fled the country. Many of them later faced lawsuits.
Among these developments, on January 14, a case was filed in Kishoreganj accusing 124 individuals, including former President Abdul Hamid, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, son Sajeeb Wazed (Joy), and daughter Saima Wazed (Putul). The case was filed at Kishoreganj Police Station by a young man named Tahmul Islam (27). The plaintiff is the son of Abu Taher Bhuiyan from Uttar Latibabad area of Kishoreganj Sadar. He stated that he is a BNP activist. He was injured during the movement and filed the case after recovering somewhat from a long period of treatment.
