The legal back-and-forth did not end in 2024. Throughout 2025 and 2026, Shomi Kaiser continued to fight the charges.
(Light Will Come), where members allegedly discussed aggressive measures—such as "throwing hot water"—against anti-government student protesters. Institutional Resignations and Political Fallout
The career of veteran Bangladeshi actress and former business leader Shomi Kaiser took a dramatic turn in late 2024, as she became embroiled in serious legal allegations following the political shift in Bangladesh.
In 2024, prominent Bangladeshi actress and entrepreneur Shomi Kaiser became a central figure in a high-profile legal and political scandal following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government. Her involvement in controversial online activities against student protesters and her subsequent arrest on multiple charges of attempted murder dominated headlines throughout the year.
Before her arrest, Shomi Kaiser’s reputation was severely impacted by the leaked "Alo Ashbei" WhatsApp group messages in September 2024. The group, comprised of artists and cultural figures supportive of the previous regime, reportedly discussed aggressive measures against student-led anti-discrimination protests. Kaiser’s active participation in this group led to widespread public backlash, as citizens accused the featured artists of betraying the people they once entertained. Bangladeshi Actress Shomi Kaiser Scandal.24
Shomi Kaiser, a prominent 1990s television icon, former president of the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) , and an influential figure in the Awami League regime, became a central target of legal scrutiny after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, 2024. After spending nine months in prison, Kaiser was released on bail from Kashimpur Women's Central Jail on August 14, 2025. Political Fallout and the "Alo Ashbei" Leak
After the lower court denied bail, her legal team, led by lawyer ABM Hamidul Mesbah, petitioned the High Court. A bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain granted her three months' ad-interim bail. The High Court also issued a rule asking the state to explain why she should not be granted regular bail.
, from her residence in Uttara, Dhaka. She remained in custody for approximately nine months until her release on bail in August 2025. Attempted Murder Charges
She was subsequently implicated in a second attempted murder case. This stemmed from a 4 August 2024 incident where pro-Awami League operatives allegedly opened fire on a student procession in Azampur, Uttara, leaving a 20-year-old college student, Jubayer Hasan Yusuf, with severe gunshot wounds. A Turbulent 9-Month Legal Battle The legal back-and-forth did not end in 2024
Facing immense pressure and public fury, Kaiser formally resigned from her position as e-CAB president on August 14, 2024, and promptly went into hiding. 3. Serious Legal Battles: Attempted Murder and Defamation
The Attorney General’s office appeals immediately. The Appellate Division’s Chamber Court stays her release. Second High Court Ruling
The Bangladeshi film and television industry has also faced backlash, with many questioning the lack of accountability and oversight in the industry. The scandal has highlighted issues of sexism, nepotism, and the exploitation of women in the entertainment industry.
The fallout from the scandal has been significant, with many of Kaiser's professional relationships and friendships being put to the test. Several of her colleagues have publicly distanced themselves from her, while others have expressed support and urged caution. Before her arrest, Shomi Kaiser’s reputation was severely
related to an attack on students and activists during the August 4, 2024, demonstrations in Azampur. Political Context:
Compounding her legal troubles, on October 9, a BNP activist named Syed Hasan Mahmud filed another "attempt to murder" case in a Dhaka court. This case was even more high-profile, naming former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former minister Tarana Halim, among others, in connection with an alleged incident in June 2022.
She was sued for "discourteous behavior" and defamation by a news portal editor, leading to a long-running legal battle and a directive for police to submit a probe report. 🏛️ Business and Political Ties