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The results of the 13th General Election in Bangladesh have sparked global concern as several individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including those previously convicted of war crimes and terrorism, have emerged victorious.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, has secured a significant victory, but the profiles of some winning candidates have raised eyebrows.
The Case of ATM Azharul Islam
The most controversial figure among the winners is ATM Azharul Islam, a senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami.
The Accusations: He was accused of orchestrating the killing of over 1,200 people and involved in 13 rapes during the 1971 Liberation War.
Conviction & Pardon: In 2014, a special tribunal sentenced him to death for these war crimes. However, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government and the formation of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, his sentence was cancelled, and he was granted a pardon, allowing him to contest and win the 2026 election.
Other Notable Winners with Criminal Links
Lutfozzaman Babar (BNP): * Background: A former Home Minister, Babar was previously sentenced to death for his role in the 2004 grenade attack on a Sheikh Hasina rally (which killed 24 people) and the 10-truck arms haul case.
Outcome: He was acquitted of the grenade attack charges in late 2024 and won this election by a margin of 1.6 lakh votes.
Abdus Salam Pintu (BNP):
Background: Alleged to have links with the Pakistani terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), which was involved in several bombings in India (Varanasi, Ajmer Sharif, and Delhi).
Outcome: He secured victory with a massive margin of two lakh votes after receiving legal relief following the regime change.
Implications for India and the Region
Analysts suggest that the return of these figures to active governance signals a turbulent phase for Bangladesh's internal stability and its relationship with India.
The Demand for Extradition: Following the victory, the BNP has renewed its demand for India to extradite former PM Sheikh Hasina to face trial in Bangladesh.
Kashmiri/Terror Concerns: The alleged links between some winning candidates and anti-India militant groups remain a major security concern for New Delhi.
Read More: The Return of the Hardliners Why Bangladesh’s New Election Results Worry India
