# Asaduzzaman Khan

Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal (born 31 December 1950) also known as the "Butcher of Bangladesh" is a Bangladeshi fugitive, at large since 5 August 2024, a member of the Awami League and one of the key perpetrators of the July massacre orchestrated and executed by Sheikh Hasina's toppled regime. He is wanted by the government of Bangladesh for crimes against humanity during the Student–People's uprising of 2024.
He has previously held the constituent seats of Dhaka-11 and Dhaka-12, and has been the former Minister of Home Affairs of Bangladesh.

## Early life

Khan was born on 31 December 1950 in Monipuripara, Dhaka, in the then East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan. His home district is Dohar, Dhaka. In 1965, he completed his SSC from Tejgaon Polytechnic High school (Now Tejgaon Government High School) and in 1967, he completed his HSC from Jagannath College which is among the reputed colleges today.

## Career

Khan was a member of the Mukti Bahini and fought in the Bangladesh Liberation war in 1971. He served in sector 2 under Captain Abdul Halim Chowdhury. He was elected to Parliament in December 2008. From 2009 to 2013, he served in the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Public Works. He was a member of the Bangladesh Press Council. He founded the Dohar Padma College. He served as the President of the Ispahani School and College and Tejgaon College, two reputed colleges (both founded after Bangladesh's liberation war). He is a senate member of the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. He was re-elected in January 2014 and on 12 January 2014, he was made the State Minister of Home Affairs. On 14 July 2015 he was made the Minister of Home Affairs.
On 22 January 2024, He was awarded the honorary Great Wall Commemorative Medal by the Chinese government. The Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Yao Wen, presented the award and certificate during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka. Established by China's Ministry of Public Security in 2020, the medal recognizes foreign law enforcement officers who have significantly contributed to the safety of Chinese citizens.

## Criminal activities

According to the official report BGB provided to OHCHR, Kamal, on behalf of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Director-General of her Special Security Force and her Military and Security Advisor, provided verbal directives to "use maximum force." during the Student-People's uprising.
On 13 August 2024, a murder complaint was filed at a court in Dhaka against Khan and five other government officials, including Ex- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, regarding the killing of a grocer during the 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement on 19 July.
He reportedly left Bangladesh illegally, according to Additional Inspector General Md Shah Alam, head of the special branch (SB) of police. Speaking to the media on October 2, Alam mentioned that immigration police have no records of Kamal's departure, suggesting he likely crossed the border illegally. A news report had surfaced showing Kamal, along with former MP Ashim Kumar Ukil, Apu Ukil, and one of Haji Mohammad Salim's sons, spotted at Eco Park in Kolkata. Alam speculated that Kamal could have used various illegal land routes to leave the country.
On 9 October 2024, The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed separate cases against Asaduzzaman Khan, his wife Lutful Tahmina Khan, their two children Safi Muddasir Khan and Safia Tasnim Khan, and his Assistant Private Secretary (APS) Monir Hossain, accusing them of amassing illegal wealth, misuse of power, bribery in recruitment, and money laundering. ACC director general Akhtar Hossain stated that the investigation revealed that the former minister and his family accumulated around Tk 60.55 crore in illegal wealth and concealed Tk 416.74 crore across 36 bank accounts. Additionally, Monir Hossain was found to have amassed Tk 18.82 crore illegally, with suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 31.31 crore in 12 bank accounts. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has already suspended the transactions in their accounts.
While in exile, he gave an interview to The Indian Express, alleging that the student-people's uprising was the result of a "joint coup by Islamic terrorists and the army". He also called for the Indian government to diplomatically intervene to pressure the interim government to remove the court cases against him and other Awami League leaders. He has been quoted as the "Butcher Of Bangladesh" by Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

## Personal life

Kamal is married to Lutful Tahmina Khan. They have a son, Safi Muddaser Khan Joty. Joty was arrested on 14 September 2024 Rabiul Sunny in connection to a case of attempted murder.