Bangladeshi actor Shanto Khan and his father, Selim Khan, a prominent figure in the country’s media industry, were tragically lynched by a mob in Chandpur, Bangladesh. The incident occurred as the country grappled with political unrest following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled Dhaka on August 5th. Reports indicate that Shanto and his father were attempting to escape the country when they encountered a hostile crowd at Forkkabad Bazaar in Balia Union Parishad. In self-defense, they fired shots from their pistol, but were pursued by another mob near Bagara Bazaar where they were brutally beaten to death.
According to a Dhaka Tribune report, Chandpur Sadar Model police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Sheikh Mohsin Alam confirmed the deaths, stating that while they were aware of the tragedy, they were unable to reach the scene for their own safety.
Shanto Khan, who made his debut in films in 2019, rose to prominence for his portrayal of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh and father of Sheikh Hasina, in the 2021 film ‘Tungiparar Miya Bhai’. His father, Selim Khan, was the owner of Shapla Media, a prominent media and entertainment company in Dhaka. Selim was a former member of the Awami League, the party led by Sheikh Hasina. He had been expelled from the party and was facing multiple legal challenges, including charges of corruption.
Reports by Prothom Alo and the Dhaka Tribune detail that Selim had been accused of illegally extracting sand using hundreds of dredgers from the Padma-Meghna river, allegedly amassing a substantial fortune in the process. The incident has further fueled the already tense political climate in Bangladesh, as supporters of the Awami League have been facing constant attacks amidst widespread protests against the government. The tragic deaths of Shanto Khan and Selim Khan highlight the volatility of the situation and raise serious concerns about the safety and security of individuals caught in the crossfire of political turmoil.
