Nitai Roy Chowdhury
{{short description|Bangladeshi politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{infobox officeholder
| name = Nitai Roy Chowdhury
| native_name = নিতাই রায় চৌধুরী
| image = Nitai_Roy_Chowdhury.jpg
| caption = Nitai Roy Chowdhury in 2024
| office = Member of Parliament
| constituency = Magura-2
| term_start = 1988
| term_end = 1990
| predecessor = Mohammad Asaduzzaman
| successor = Mohammad Asaduzzaman
| term_start1 =
| term_end1 =
| predecessor1 =
| successor1 =
| prior_term1 =
| birth_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = Bangladeshi
| party = Bangladesh Nationalist Party
| occupation = Politician
lawyer
| spouse = Jhuma Roy Chowdhury{{cite news |url=https://samakal.com/print/1501114343/print
|script-title=bn:সাবেক মন্ত্রী নিতাই রায় চৌধুরীর স্ত্রীর পরলোকগমন
|newspaper=Samakal|date=25 January 2015 |language=bn
|access-date= 23 July 2019
}}
|children = Nipun Roy Chowdhury
}}
Nitai Roy Chowdhury is a Bangladeshi lawyer and politician. He is a vice chairman of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Nationalist Party.{{cite news |script-title=bn:বিএনপির ভাইস চেয়ারম্যান হলেন যারা
|url=https://m.banglanews24.com/politics/news/bd/507767.details
|work=banglanews24.com|date=6 August 2016 |language=bn
|access-date= 23 July 2019
}}{{cite news |script-title=bn:মাগুরা সদরে নতুন মুখ বিএনপিরও
|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/article/1567197/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%96-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%93
|newspaper=Prothom Alo|date=28 November 2018 |language=bn
|access-date= 23 July 2019
}} He was elected as MP of Magura-2 in Fourth General Election of Bangladesh.{{cite web |script-title=bn:৪র্থ জাতীয় সংসদে নির্বাচিত মাননীয় সংসদ-সদস্যদের নামের তালিকা |url=http://www.parliament.gov.bd/index.php/bn/mps-bangla/members-of-parliament-bangla/former-mp-s/2014-03-23-11-54-09 | website=Bangladesh Parliament}} He was a State Minister of Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.{{cite news |script-title=bn:দুই দশক পর মন্ত্রী পেলেন মাগুরাবাসী
|url=https://m.risingbd.com/fascinating-world/news/32994/%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%80
|work=Risingbd.com
|date=12 January 2014 |language=bn
|access-date= 23 July 2019
}}
Early life
Chowdhury was born on 5 January 1949 in Hatbaria village, Mohammadpur Upazila, Magura District.{{Cite web |title=Profile - Nitai Roy Chowdhury |url=https://www.tritiyomatra.com/profile/312 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.tritiyomatra.com |language=en}} He graduated from Alokdia Pukhuria High School and from Magura Government College. He finished his law degree at the University of Dhaka.
Career
Chowdhury was elected to parliament in 1988 as a candidate of the Jatiya Party. He was the State Minister of Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in the government of President Hussain Mohammad Ershad.{{Cite web |title=Magura-1 Constituency |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/11/28/d61128070194.htm |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star}} He was the Ministry of Youth and Sports from 9 September 1990 to 6 December 1990. He had served as the Chairperson of Magura District Council.
Chowdhury joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 2001 from the Jatiya Party.{{Cite web |date=2008-09-20 |title=Nitai not allowed to attend BNP Iftar party |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-55637 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He stood as a candidate of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Magura-1 in 2001 but lost to Muhammad Serajul Akbar, a candidate of the Awami League.{{Cite web |title=In-fighting in Magura BNP Over Nomination |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/07/26/d60726070299.htm |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star}} The local unit also opposed the nomination of Chowdhury arguing he was a voter of Magura-2.
A fraction of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party declared Chowdhury unwanted in Magura District in 2006. He supported Ashraful Islam, convener of Sreepur Upazila unit of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, over the Sreepur Upazila unit president Kamaluddin Master. The party in the district was divided in two fractions, one led by Quazi Kamal and another led by Chowdhury.{{Cite web |title=Suja poses as a formidable rival of Nitai Roy |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2006/11/05/d61105070284.htm |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star}} In December 2006, he attended an event of the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum demanding punishment for pro-Awami League lawyers who blocked the Supreme Court.{{Cite web |title=SC judges start work abstention for culprits' punishment |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/2006/12/06/d6120601011.htm |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star}}
Quazi Kamal supporters prevented Chowdhury from attending an iftar program of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Magura District in September 2008. Nazimuddin Ahmed, joint-convener of Magura District unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, alleged Chowdhury supported reforms initiatives of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party by Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and Progressive Democratic Party during the 2006–2008 Bangladesh political crisis. Chowdhury and Kamal are involved in an interparty political struggle.{{Cite web |date=2008-09-24 |title=Magura BNP men scuffle in presence of central leaders |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-56222 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} Chowdhury accused Kamal of corruption in 2007.{{Cite web |date=2007-09-25 |title=Party men demand punishment of ex-BNP MP in Magura |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-5333 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}
Magura District unit of Jubo Dal accused Chowdhury of dividing the party in 2012.{{Cite web |date=2012-06-10 |title=Magura Jubo Dal faction says 'no' to new committee |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-237644 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He represented Aman Ullah Aman and Gayeshwar Chandra Roy in April 2014 in case filed over the murder of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir activist who died in a clash with the police during March for Democracy programme.{{Cite web |date=2014-04-29 |title=HC judge feels embarrassed to hear Gayeshwar’s bail plea |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/hc-judge-feels-embarrassed-to-hear-gayeshwar-s-bail-plea-22138 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}
Chowdhury represented Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain in a money laundering case in 2015.{{Cite web |date=2015-08-19 |title=HC grants bail to Mosharraf |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/hc-grants-bail-mosharraf-129562 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He represented Mirza Abbas in a corruption case.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-05 |title=HC drops Abbas' bail plea from hearing list |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/hc-drops-abbas-bail-plea-hearing-list-80620 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He attended a session of the House of Lords on Bangladesh's political situation.{{Cite web |date=2016-07-16 |title=AL, BNP to discuss Bangladesh situation at UK House of Lords |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/al-bnp-discuss-bangladesh-situation-uk-house-lords-1254631 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He represented Moniruzzaman Moni, mayor of Khulna City Corporation, in a case to reinstate him as Mayor and successfully secured a six month stay on his suspension order.{{Cite web |date=2016-06-07 |title=HC stays KCC mayor’s suspension order |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/hc-stays-kcc-mayors-suspension-order-1235761 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}
Chowdhury represented Nipun Roy Chowdhury in November 2018 in three cases filed over clashes between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party activists and Bangladesh Police.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-17 |title=BNP leader Nipun, 6 others remanded |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/news/bnp-leader-nipun-roy-chowdhury-remanded-1661452 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} Nipun was sent to jail.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-23 |title=Barrister Rafiqul, Nipun Roy, Giasuddin sent to jail |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/naya-paltan-clash-nipun-roy-chowdhury-6-other-bnp-activists-sent-jail-1663702 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} Chowdhury petitioned the High Court Division for withdrawal of thousands of cases filed by the government against Bangladesh Nationalist Party and other opposition party politicians.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-26 |title=HC rejects writ challenging 'ghost cases' |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/country/high-court-turns-down-writ-petition-against-fictitious-political-cases-1664983 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He was nominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for the 2018 Bangladesh general election from Magura-2.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-28 |title=BNP puts trust in 60 new faces |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/bnp-banks-60-new-faces-1666246 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2008-11-30 |title=BNP nominees for next election in six divisions |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-65574 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He received 52,668 votes but lost to Awami League candidate Biren Sikder who received 229,659.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-25 |title=Magura-2 - Constituency detail of Bangladesh General Election 2018 |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh-national-election-2018/seats?s=Magura-2&d=khulna |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} In November 2021, he was part of a delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party that meet with Minister of Law Anisul Huq to ask about sending former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-23 |title=Khaleda’s treatment abroad: BNP lawyers to meet law minister today |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/khaledas-treatment-abroad-bnp-lawyers-meet-law-minister-today-2900776 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He called for the party to identify its foreign friends and engage farmers, laborers, and students in a movement against the government.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-15 |title=Got to win even before the polls |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/movement-only-option-2176041 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He was an advisor to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-26 |title=80 aspirants from AL, 45 from BNP |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/80-aspirants-al-45-bnp-1652083 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}
Chowdhury participated in a planning of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party rally in July to demand the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-29 |title=BNP to press on with Dhaka sit-ins today |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/bnp-press-dhaka-sit-ins-today-3380996 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} Chowdhury blamed the destruction of Bangladesh's legal framework for corruption in the country.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-30 |title=Graft directly affects 74pc SMEs: study |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/business/economy/news/graft-directly-affects-74pc-smes-study-3234001 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} Chowdhury represented Nipun Roy Chowdhury and secured bail for her in August in case over a clash between the Police and Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Dholaikhal.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-01 |title=Clash with police in capital: BNP leader Nipun gets HC bail |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/clash-police-capital-bnp-leader-nipun-gets-hc-bail-3383796 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} In November 2023, Bangladesh High Court granted bail to Chowdhury, AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, and Zainul Abedin in case filed over the vandalism of the residence of the Chief Justice of Bangladesh the previous month.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=Vandalism of chief justice's house: HC grants anticipatory bail to 3 BNP leaders |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/vandalism-chief-justices-house-hc-grants-anticipatory-bail-3-bnp-leaders-3463876 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-23 |title=Attack on CJ residence: Zainul Abedin among 3 BNP leaders get bail |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/attack-cj-residence-zainul-abedin-among-3-bnp-leaders-get-bail-3477071 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} In December 2023, Chowdhury represented Nipun Roy Chowdhury along with Debasish Roy Chowdhury and secured bail in eight cases at the Bangladesh High Court.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-04 |title=Nipun Roy Chowdhury gets anticipatory bail in 8 cases |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/nipun-roy-chowdhury-gets-anticipatory-bail-8-cases-3485681 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He visited Dhaka Metropolitan Police headquarters to seek permission for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to hold a victory day rally.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=BNP seeks DMP's permission for Victory Day rally |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/bnp-seeks-dmps-permission-victory-day-rally-3493731 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}
Chowdhury secured bail for Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Nipun Roy Chowdhury in January 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-22 |title=HC grants BNP leaders Gayeshwar, Nipun anticipatory bail in 7 cases |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/hc-grants-bnp-leaders-gayeshwar-nipun-anticipatory-bail-7-cases-3525426 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He met with the Dhaka Metropolitan Police to secure permission for protests demanding the cancellation of the 12th national election.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=BNP, allies to hold black-flag processions today, tomorrow |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/bnp-allies-hold-black-flag-processions-today-tomorrow-3528531 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He blamed Awami League for attacks against minority Hindu community during the election.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-07 |title=Election violence, minorities, and erasure of data |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/election-violence-minorities-and-erasure-data-3538696 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government, he called for reforms of the lower courts where legal harassments take place.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-24 |title=Need a year for judiciary reforms |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/need-year-judiciary-reforms-3783256 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He was part of a delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party that met with Pranay Verma, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh in September.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-22 |title=Indian High Commissioner meets BNP leaders in Gulshan |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/indian-high-commissioner-meets-bnp-leaders-gulshan-3709216 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} He expressed confidence that the next elected government of Bangladesh will be a Bangladesh Nationalist Party government.{{Cite web |title=Nitai Roy Chowdhury confident BNP will form next govt |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/368994/nitai-roy-chowdhury-bnp-to-form-the-next |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}}
Personal life
Chowdhury's daughter, advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury is the member of the BNP Central Executive Committee.{{Cite web |last=UNB |first=Dhaka |date=2021-03-28 |title=BNP leader Nipun Roy arrested on conspiracy charges |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/dhaka/bnp-leader-nipun-roy-chowdhury-detained-2068221 |access-date=2022-06-06 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}} She is married to the son of Gayeshwar Chandra Roy.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-29 |title=Rab arrests Nipun Roy Chowdhury |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/rab-arrests-nipun-roy-chowdhury-2068473 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}