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Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury (8 May 1935 – 11 September 2022) was a Bangladeshi politician. She served as a Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Faridpur-2 constituency from 2008 till her death in 2022. She also served as the Environment and Forest Minister of Bangladesh during 1996–2001.[1]
Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury | |
|---|---|
সৈয়দা সাজেদা চৌধুরী | |
| Member of Parliament for Faridpur-2 | |
| In office 12 February 2008 – 11 September 2022 | |
| Preceded by | KM Obaidur Rahman |
| Succeeded by | Shahdab Akbar Chowdhury |
| In office 5 March 1991 – 4 November 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jewel |
| Succeeded by | Abul Hossain Mia |
| Minister of Forest and Environment | |
| In office 23 June 1996 – 15 July 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Akbar Hossain |
| Succeeded by | Shajahan Siraj |
| Member of the Bangladesh Parliament for Reserved Women's Seat–9 | |
| In office 7 April 1973 – 6 November 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Syeda Sajeda 8 May 1935 Magura, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Died | 11 September 2022 (aged 87) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Political party | Bangladesh Awami League |
| Spouse | Golam Akbar Chowdhury |
| Children | Shahdab Akbar Chowdhury (son) |
| Relatives |
|
| Occupation | Politician |
Syeda Sajeda was born on 8 May 1935 in her maternal home in Magura (formerly under Jessore District) in the then Bengal Presidency in British India.[2] Both of her parents, Syed Shah Hamidullah and Syeda Asiya Khatun, were Bengali Muslims of Syed extraction.[3] Her paternal grandmother, Syeda Hamidunnesa, belonged to a Bengali Muslim zamindar family known as the Syeds of Bamna based in Barguna.[4]
Chowdhury had a bachelor's degree.[5]
![[icon]](#/media/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion with: her work as the Environment and Forest Minister of Bangladesh.. You can help by adding to it. (September 2022) |
Chowdhury was a member of the 1st Jatiya Sangsad holding a reserved women's seat during 1973–1975. [6] Chowdhury became the Jatiya Sangsad member from the Faridpur-2 constituency in 2008, being re-elected in 2014 and 2018,.[7] She became the Deputy Leader of the House of Jatiya Sangsad on 12 February 2019 for the third consecutive term.[8][9]
Chowdhury became the deputy leader of the House of Bangladesh Parliament in February 2009.[10] She is only woman politician who served as General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League from 1986 and held the position till 1992. Since then she was inducted into the Presidium.[11]
Chowdhury was awarded Independence Day Award in 2010 by the Government of Bangladesh.[12]
Corruption allegation
On 10 July 2008, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed a case against Chowdhury over concealing wealth worth Tk 1.38 million and amassing it illegally.[13][14] Chowdhury denied the allegation.[15] On 18 November 2008, Bangladesh High Court stayed the proceedings against her in the case which was again upheld by the Supreme Court on 15 February 2010.[13] She was granted bail by the High Court.[16] On 29 November 2010, High Court revoked the proceedings of the case on the grounds that the charges against Chowdhury were not specifically disclosed in the case.[17]
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Syeda Sajeda married Golam Akbar Chowdhury (d. 2015).[18] Their youngest son, Shahdab Akbar Chowdhury, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment by a special court in 2008 for amassing wealth illegally and concealing information in his wealth statement submitted to the ACC.[19][20]
Chowdhury died from complications of COVID-19 in Dhaka on 11 September 2022 aged 87.[21] After her death, her son, Shahdab, selected by Awami League, ran for the vacant parliamentary position in by-poll election held on 5 November 2022.[20]
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