Patuakhali official faces scrutiny after meeting fugitive wanted on arms charges

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

A photograph circulating on social media has ignited public concern after showing a fugitive wanted under an active arrest warrant for an arms case exchanging flowers with the newly appointed administrative head of Dumki Upazila in Patuakhali.

The individual identified in the image, Salahuddin Sharif, is the primary accused in a criminal case stemming from a violent attack on faculty members and officials at Patuakhali Science and Technology University on May 11. According to local police, Sharif is also currently evading capture due to an outstanding arrest warrant related to firearm offenses.

The image, which captures Sharif alongside Dumki Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abdullah Khairul Islam Chowdhury, was taken during a series of courtesy calls following the official’s assumption of office on June 2. Local sources confirmed that Sharif was permanently expelled from his position as member secretary of the Dumki Upazila Jubo Dal in March 2025 due to various allegations. The photograph also features several other figures, including members of the local BNP and Krishak Dal, who were reportedly present for the meeting.

The appearance of a wanted suspect in a photograph with a high-ranking government official has drawn sharp criticism from university officials. Abul Bashar Newton, the university proctor and a witness in the ongoing assault case, described the situation as deeply troubling, noting that while law enforcement claims to be unable to locate the suspect, he appears to be operating in the open.

Six Bangladeshis killed in South Africa supermarket fire

Read More

Dumki Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Selim Uddin stated that authorities have conducted multiple operations to apprehend Sharif, who has remained elusive by frequently changing locations. While two suspects involved in the university attack have been arrested and fifteen others have secured bail through the courts, the primary suspect remains at large.

Efforts to reach UNO Abdullah Khairul Islam Chowdhury for comment via telephone and text message were unsuccessful. Similarly, Additional Deputy Commissioner Masud Ul Alam could not be reached to provide a response regarding the incident.