Shahjahan Omar (born 24 December 1947) is a

Bangladesh Nationalist Party The Bangladesh Nationalist Party ( bn, বাংলাদেশ জাতীয়তাবাদী দল, Bangladesh Jātīyotābādī Dol; BNP) is a centre-right to right-wing nationalist, political party in Bangladesh and one of the major ...

politician and a former state minister for law. He is retired major of the

Bangladesh Army The Bangladesh Army is the land warfare branch and the largest component of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Army is to provide necessary forces and capabilities to deliver the Bangladeshi government's security and defe ...

and was awarded

Bir Uttom Bir Uttom ( bn, বীর উত্তম, lit=Great Valiant Hero) is the second highest award for individual gallantry in Bangladesh after the Bir Sreshtho and the highest gallantry award for a living individual. Since the independence of Bang ...

. He was a 3-term

Jatiya Sangsad The Jatiya Sangsad ( bn, জাতীয় সংসদ, lit=National Parliament, translit=Jatiyô Sôngsôd), often referred to simply as the ''Sangsad'' or JS and also known as the House of the Nation, is the supreme legislative body of B ...

member representing the

Jhalokati-1 Jhalokati-1 is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh since 2008 by Bazlul Haque Haroon of the Awami League. Boundaries The constituency encompasses Kathalia and Rajapur upazilas. History The ...

constituency.

Early life

Omar was born on 24 December 1947. He worked as a 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 the 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 The second Khaleda cabinet was the Government of Bangladesh during the 8th legislative session of the Jatiya Sangsad following the 2001 general election. The cabinet took office on 10 October 2001 and left office on 29 October 2006. The Prime M ...

. In 2001 his supporters attacked minority Hindu populations in Jhalakati-1 to intimidate them from voting against him. On 27 October 2007, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sued Omar on corruption charges. On 14 May 2008, he was sentenced 13 years’ imprisonment by a special court in Dhaka. Bangladesh High Court acquitted him in August 2010. In September 2014, Bangladesh Supreme Court allowed ACC to start the process to appeal the High Court verdict.

Personal life

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

References

Living people 1947 births People from Jhalokati district Bangladesh Army officers Recipients of the Bir Uttom Bangladesh Nationalist Party politicians 5th Jatiya Sangsad members 6th Jatiya Sangsad members 8th Jatiya Sangsad members State Ministers of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs 20th-century Bengalis 21st-century Bengalis Mukti Bahini personnel {{BangladeshNationalistParty-politician-stub