Who is Shahabuddin Chuppu?

The ruling Awami League (AL) has nominated Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu as the 22nd president of Bangladesh.

The Awami League Parliamentary Party had nominated Shahabuddin Chuppu, a former commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a retired district and sessions judge, and a freedom fighter, to run for president, the party General Secretary Obaidul Quader told the media on Sunday (February 12).

As the Awami League holds an absolute majority in parliament, Shahabuddin Chuppu’s election as the 22nd president of the country is all but confirmed. 

Awami League lawmakers hold 302 out of 350 seats in the House.

Shahabuddin was born in 1949 and had a distinguished political career from a young age, starting in his student years.

Shahabuddin Chuppu completed his MSc degree from Rajshahi University in 1974. Then he obtained an LLB degree in 1975 from the same institution. 

Hailing from Pabna, a northern district of Bangladesh, Shahabuddin Chuppu has served various political and state roles.

He served as the president of the Pabna District unit Chattra League and Jubo League in the 1970s.

During the Liberation War in 1971, Shahabuddin was a key player in the northern region, serving as a student leader and the convener of the Swadhin Bangla Chattra Sangram Parishad. 

Along with former Awami League presidium member Mohammad Nasim, he played a crucial role in the Pabna district during the war. 

Obaidul Quader briefs journalists after submitting nomination paper

Shahabuddin actively participated in the Liberation War as a freedom fighter and after the independence of Bangladesh, he again got involved in politics.

In 1975, after the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Shabuddin got arrested and was in prison for three years because he was against the newly formed government that took the charge after Bangabandhu. 

After getting released from prison Shahabuddin went to India to meet his colleagues who were there at that time.

In 1982, Shahabuddin joined the BCS (Judicial) Department and concurrently held the position of publicity secretary for the Pabna district unit Awami League. 

He remained dedicated to his profession and was elected as the general secretary of the Judicial Service Association in 1995. 

Additionally, he was appointed by the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs as a coordinator in the Bangabandhu assassination case.

After the general election of 2001, he served as the chairman of the judicial inquiry commission formed to investigate the murder, rape, looting, and anti-humane activities committed by the leaders and workers of the BNP-Jamaat alliance.

After a 25-year career as a judge, including various positions, Shahabuddin retired as a District and Sessions Judge in 2006.

From 2011 to 2016, Sahabuddin Chuppu served as the commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

After retirement, Shahabuddin once again became actively involved in politics and was appointed as a member of the Advisory Council of the Awami League in 2020.

In 2022, Shahabuddin was selected as the Chairman of the Awami League's Publicity and Publications cell after the passing of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s former advisor HT Imam, filling the vacant post.

In the recent national council of the Awami League, Shahabuddin served as the election commissioner. 

Shahabuddin Chuppu serves as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd. He represents JMC Builders Ltd on the board. 

He also works as an advisor for NRB Global Bank Ltd.

Shahabuddin Chuppu also worked as a journalist for Daily BanglarBani from 1980-1982. 

He is engaged in various social, educational and cultural organizations in the country.

Shahabuddin and his wife, Professor Rebeka Sultana, a former joint secretary of the government, have one son.