DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said if independent MP Mohammad Shahid Islam (Papul), elected from Laxmipur-2 constituency, is proven to have foreign citizenship, his seat will be declared vacant.

The premier said it while speaking to the point of order during House session on Wednesday (July 8).

She said: “Papul has been elected MP as an independent candidate. He sought nomination from Awami League but we did not give it to him. We nominated a candidate from Jatiya Party for that seat but he dropped out. Papul got elected and his wife is also a reserve seat MP.”

We are now in talks with Kuwait government whether Mohammad Shahid Islam, also known as Papul, is a citizen of Kuwait or not. If he is a citizen, then we have to vacant his seat as per law, said Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier on July 6, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police has launched an investigation into the human trafficking allegations against Laxmipur lawmaker Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul.

On June 24, a Kuwait court penalized Bangladeshi lawmaker Mohammad Shahid Islam Papul 21-day imprisonment in the central prison.

He was sent to jail for charges of money laundering, human trafficking, visa trading and bribery.

On June 7, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Kuwait arrested Shahid Islam Papul for the aforementioned charges.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti authorities earlier had ordered to confiscate Tk 138 crore in the MP Papul’s bank account.

BDST: 1717 HRS, JULY 8, 2020

AP/SMS