Raisul Saikat, the accused who financed the attack on students, is still at large!

Raisul Saikat, the accused who financed the attack on students, is still at large!

National Desk :    |    ০৫:১৪ পিএম, ২০২৬-০৫-২৪

News Desk: Raisul Islam Saikat (43), accused of financing the shootings during the student movement, as well as murder and several attempted murder cases, is still beyond the reach of law enforcement. Although this businessman, known as the chairman of Albion Group and Delta Hospital, has his village home in Sitakunda, he is known to live in East Nasirabad, Panchlaish area of ​​Chittagong city.

It is alleged that he had financially supported the helmeted gunmen who attacked students and the public in New Market, Gate No. 2 and Bahaddarhat areas on the day before the fall of the government on August 5. However, questions have been raised about his failure to be arrested despite being accused in multiple cases. Several pictures of Raisul Islam Saikat and influential political and business figures are still circulating on various social media.

The pictures show the presence of Chittagong Metropolitan Awami League General Secretary and former City Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, former Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Awami League International Affairs Sub-Committee Member Niaz Morshed Elite, former Prime Minister's Special Assistant Barrister Biplob Barua's brother Dr. Bidyut Barua, former Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Administrator and City Awami League Vice-President Khorshed Alam Sujan, Jubo League leader Arshadul Alam Bachchu, Jubo League leader Borhanul Hasan Chowdhury Sarehin, Jubo League leader Sharun Chowdhury, son of former Patia constituency MP and former National Assembly Whip Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, and Mohammad Parvez, son of PHP Family founding chairman Sufi Mohammad Mizanur Rahman.

According to observers, the issue of closeness to these influential people has raised many questions in the public mind—especially in the context of his failure to be arrested despite being accused in multiple cases. Although nothing has been officially said about the nature or impact of these relationships. Meanwhile, local sources claim that he is still in good health by exercising administrative influence and is carrying out his business activities normally. However, no official statement has been received from the concerned authorities on these allegations.

Those concerned say that it is because of this sphere of influence that he has been outside the reach of the law for a long time—although no official comment has been received on the matter. According to reliable sources, Raisul Islam Saikat is named in several cases filed against him in the Chittagong Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court. Among them, he is the accused number 15 in an attempt to murder case (No. 807/24) of Panchlaish Police Station. In addition, his name is also included as accused number 47 in a murder case of Akbar Shah Police Station.

Despite being accused in these serious cases, locals complain that he is seen moving around in public, which raises new questions about the law and order situation. There are further allegations that he fueled the attacks of illegal gunmen during the student movement and may be involved in carrying weapons himself—which the concerned believe is subject to investigation. In addition, there are allegations of grabbing the property of minorities in Sitakunda and Mirsarai areas against him.

Critics say that Raisul Islam Saikat has become the owner of huge wealth by exerting political influence in the past. There is even an allegation of building an industrial establishment next to the Ecopark in Sitakunda in an environmentally protected area, which is claimed to be a threat to the environment. Meanwhile, there are allegations that he provided financial and logistical support to organize political cadres in various places during the movement. There are even allegations of directing violent activities through secret meetings—although independent verification of all the allegations has not yet been possible.

After the change of government, he was in hiding for some time, but is now known to be moving around in public again. Even in the context of the political change, there are rumors of new attempts to exert influence. In this regard, officials of Akbar Shah and Panchlaish police stations said that the police are following a 'zero tolerance' policy against any crime and criminal. The drive to arrest the accused in the complaint or warrant is ongoing and inquiries are being made into the related matters.

If someone can roam around openly despite being accused in multiple serious cases, it naturally creates concern in the public mind about the judiciary and law and order situation. As it is true that no one is guilty until the charges are proven, a quick and transparent investigation is also the need of the hour considering the importance of the charges.