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Bangladesh’s entertainment sector has condemned the inclusion of actor Iresh Zaker in a murder case over the death of BNP activist Mahfuz Alam Shrabon, calling the charges unfounded and a misuse of legal procedures to target a public figure.
The case, filed by Shrabon’s brother Mostafizur Rahman Bappi on April 20 at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka, accuses 408 people, including Iresh, of involvement in a shooting incident during an anti-discrimination demonstration in Mirpur,UNB reports.
Soon after the case came to light, director Ashfaque Nipun recalled that on August 1, Iresh Zaker and his wife had stood alongside protesters at Farmgate in a demonstration against the 'July killings.'
"Investigations into corporate matters may proceed, but implicating him in a murder case is absurd. Ghost cases like this only shield the real perpetrators," Nipun wrote on his Facebook on Sunday night.
Renowned director Shihab Shaheen similarly criticised the move, stating, "Iresh Zaker was actively involved in the July movement. Now he finds himself accused of murder — this is simply unbelievable."
Renowned journalist David Bergman added, "A criminal case against Iresh Zaker over the July/August killings is just another example of how badly things are going."
Nazim Farhan Chowdhury, managing director of Adcomm Limited, also voiced outrage, describing the case as “beyond ridiculous” and warning that such politically motivated actions are driven by “petty jealousy” and risk undermining public trust.
YouTuber Md Golam Kibria Sarker (RJ Kibria) questioned the process by which the list of accused was prepared, suggesting that the real perpetrators of the July incidents might be escaping justice.
Actress Azmeri Haque Badhan posted a heartfelt message expressing her deep sorrow, stating, "Seeing Iresh subjected to such harassment breaks my heart. We have seen it before — those who stand up for the truth often become targets; and it is deeply painful and disappointing to witness this again when we dared to hope for a better country."
Other prominent cultural figures, including Chorki CEO Redoan Rony, actress and development professional Rafiath Rashid Mithila, cartoonist Morshed Mishu, actor-director Sumon Anwar, activist Mabrur Rashid Bannah, musician Shakib Chowdhury of Cryptic Fate, director Abrar Athar, actor Mostafa Monwar and many others, have also expressed their solidarity and demanded justice for Zaker.
Meanwhile, on April 25, the National Board of Revenue’s Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) froze all bank accounts of Asiatic Marketing Communications Limited, the parent company of Asiatic 360, over separate allegations of tax evasion. Iresh Zaker is the Managing Director and his mother, eminent thespian Sara Zaker, serves as Chairperson.
Responding to questions about how Zaker’s name appeared in the murder case nine months after the incident, plaintiff Bappi said he had gathered information from newspapers, police, and lawyers, and admitted he was not present when the accused list was finalised.
"The incident happened in Dhaka while I live in Naogaon, and it is difficult for me to know everyone personally," Bappi told the media.