Was fleeing to India out of fear: Former justice SC Manik in video after being caught

After getting caught by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) last night in Sylhet, former Supreme Court justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik was seen in a video saying that he was fleeing to India out of administration’s fear.

Following his detainment, several videos have surfaced on social media. 

In one of the videos published by Channel 24 on Facebook, lasting 2 minutes and 33 seconds, ex-justice Manik is seen wearing a pink scarf around his neck, held by a group of unidentified people. 

He appeared dishevelled and distressed, being questioned about his identity and actions.

In the video, a man, asks, “Where is your home?”. Manik replies, “My home is in Munshiganj.” 

When asked for his name, he stated, “My name is Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik.” 

The interrogator then asked, “Manik? Are you the same Manik who was involved with the TV presenter a few days ago?” 
Manik nods and confirms.

When asked why he was fleeing to India, Manik replies, “Out of fear.” When pressed on who he feared, he simply says, “The administration.”

The conversation turns to a past incident involving a TV presenter, identified as Dipti Chowdhury. 

Manik acknowledged the incident and claims he has apologised for his actions. He tried to explain his health conditions by lifting his shirt to show surgical scars, but he is interrupted by the interrogator.

They inquire about the belongings Manik had with him at the time of his detainment. 

Manik mentioned, “I have both British and Bangladeshi passports, some cash, and a few debit and credit cards.” 

When asked about a larger sum of money from the previous day, Manik mentions that he had now around Tk40,000, and that two young men had taken away Tk60-70 lakh. 

He claims he was assaulted by these men on the Indian side of the border.

Another person, visible in the video, questioned Manik about his past actions in Bangladesh, accusing him of injustice and oppression. 

Denying wrongdoings, Manik said, “I did not oppress anyone. As a judge, I gave verdicts based on justice.”

Yesterday night, Manik was detained by the BGB while he was allegedly trying to cross over to India from the Jakiganj border area in Sylhet.

He was later handed over to Kanaighat Police Station on Saturday morning. 

According to police, a case has been filed against Manik in Dhaka.

Today (24 August), a Sylhet court sent former Supreme Court justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik to jail.

Sylhet’s Judicial Magistrate-1 Judge Alamgir Hossain passed the order after police produced him in court after showing him arrested in section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), court inspector Jamshed Alam told The Business Satndard.

Manik was a justice of the Appellate Division. He retired in September 2015. Later, he became a known figure to attend various Television programmes and talk shows.