Former speaker Shirin Sharmin falls on court stairs during chaotic scuffle

Former parliament speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury fell on the stairs of the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrates’ Court during a chaotic scuffle while being led to the lockup on Tuesday.

The 60-year-old former speaker, along with several female police officers, tumbled down the steps amidst a heavy crowd and shouting.

Witnesses said she screamed in pain before being quickly pulled up by officers and rushed into custody.

The incident occurred after the court rejected both a two-day remand prayer and a bail petition in a case involving the attempted murder of a youth known only as Ashraful during the July mass uprising.

Detectives arrested the Awami League central committee member in the morning in her residence on Dhanmondi Road 8/A.

During the hearing, Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi argued that Shirin Sharmin was a "beneficiary of the fascist government" and a key accomplice.

Her lawyers, however, argued that as speaker, she held a neutral constitutional post and had no involvement in the violence.

They also noted she was the only official to formally submit a resignation letter following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

As police escorted her from the courtroom around 3:40pm, pro-Awami League lawyers began shouting “Joy Bangla” slogans, leading to a heated standoff with pro-BNP lawyers.

The commotion contributed to the rush on the narrow stairwell that caused the fall.

The case stems from an incident on Jul 18, 2024, when Ashraful, also known as Fahim, was shot in the eye during a protest at the Azimpur Bus Stand.

Shirin is the number three suspect among 130 named individuals in the case.

She made history in 2013 as Bangladesh’s first female speaker and held the position for three consecutive terms until her resignation on Sept 2, 2024.