Google Alert – BD Army
CHATTOGRAM, Aug 4: Former Chief of Bangladesh Army Lieutenant-General (Retd) M Harun-Ar-Rashid was found dead at the Chittagong Club Guest House in the port city on Monday morning. He was 77.
According to police and club officials, Mr Harun was staying in Room No 308 of the club’s guest house after arriving in Chattogram on Sunday to appear before a court in a case related to financial irregularities involving the Destiny Group.
“We had a court hearing scheduled for today [Monday]. All of us went to court, but he did not show up even after the scheduled time. He wasn’t reachable by mobile phone either,” said Shahidul Islam, president of the Destiny Multi-purpose Cooperative Society.
“We then informed the guest house authorities, who entered the room and found him unconscious. Doctors from the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) later confirmed that he had passed away.”
Md Ashraf Uddin, secretary of Chittagong Club Limited and a retired navy commander, added, “An army vehicle had arrived to pick him up in the morning. When he couldn’t be reached, we entered the room through the back door and found him lying in bed.”
Chattogram Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner (Kotwali Zone) Mohammad Mahfuz said the club authorities contacted police after receiving no response from the room for an extended period.
“Police broke open the door and recovered the body. He was later declared dead at the Combined Military Hospital. The cause of death was not immediately
known,” he said.
Lieutenant General Harun-Ar-Rashid served as chief of army from 2000 to 2002. He also served as Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, and held the position of secretary general of the Sector Commanders Forum.
A native of Dhali village in Hathazari upazila of Chattogram, Harun was born on February 15, 1948. He had joined the Pakistan Army and was stationed at the 4th East Bengal Regiment before defecting and joining the Liberation War.
He was awarded the gallantry title of Bir Protik for his bravery during the war.
In 2006, he joined the Destiny Group as its president. Under his leadership, the group expanded into various sectors.
However, in 2012, amid allegations of fraud and protests by affected investors, Mr Harun was arrested and later imprisoned. He was released on bail considering his health and social standing.
He is survived by his wife, one son, one daughter, and a host of relatives and admirers.
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