Rashna Imam
Rashna Imam | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson of Nationalist Democratic Movement | |
| Assumed office 24 December 2025 | |
| Secretary-General | Mohammad Mominul Amin |
| Preceded by | Bobby Hajjaj |
| Member Secretary of Nationalist Democratic Movement | |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Bobby Hajjaj |
| Relations | Moosa Bin Shamsher (father-in-law) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Buckingham Lincoln's Inn Oxford University |
| Occupation | Barrister, Politician |
Rashna Imam is a Bangladeshi barrister, supreme court advocate, public interest litigator and politician, who is currently leading the Nationalist Democratic Movement party with her husband, Bobby Hajjaj.[1][2]
Early life and education
Imam did her LL.B. (Hons) and LL.M. in International and Commercial Law from the University of Buckingham in the UK, following which she completed the Bar Vocational Course and was called to the Bar from the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn. After a two-year work stint in Bangladesh, Imam pursued a postgraduate degree, the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at the University of Oxford.[1]
Career
After passing the bar, she gained significant expertise in company and commercial law as a corporate associate at Baker and McKenzie's London office, where she had the opportunity to represent global giants like Arcelor Mittal and Schneider Electric. In Bangladesh, she advised leading local and global corporations.[3]
While working in Bangladesh, she was recognised as an Asia 21 Young Leader 2018.[3] She has most notably worked as advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and a Managing Partner of Akhtar Imam & Associate.[1]
Nationalist Democratic Movement
As part of her husband, Bobby Hajjajj's election campaign she unsuccessfully filed a writ petition for alliance partners to contest under the alliance symbol.[2] After which, he resigned from the NDM to run under the BNP symbol and she took over as NDM's chairperson. Simultaneously, she successfully campaigned on behalf of her husband in Dhaka-13.[4][5][6]
Notably, she criticized the Yunus government for campaigning for the 'Yes' vote in the 2026 constitutional referendum, despite claiming to be a neutral government.[7]
Social advocacy and litigation
Imam has been a part of landmark cases for the establishment of a legal framework for emergency medical services for road accident victims and protection of good Samaritans, and PIL for formulation of guidelines for prevention of medically unnecessary C-sections.[8][9]
Personal life
Imam met her husband, Bobby Hajjaj, at Oxford, where he was pursuing his MBA at the Said Business School. Together, they have two children, Inaaya and Nyaasa.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Rashna Imam: How personal loss inspired this lawyer to push for accountability in healthcare". The Business Standard. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Vote on own party symbol even in alliance: HC | News". BSS. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Barrister Rashna Imam recognised as Asia 21 Young Leader 2018 | The Daily Star". www.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Fakhrul announces constituencies for Manna, Saki, Nurul, Bobby". Prothom Alo. 24 December 2025.
- ^ Bangladesh Pratidin (23 January 2026). ববি হাজ্জাজের জন্য দরজায় দরজায় ভোট চাচ্ছেন স্ত্রী রাশনা ইমাম | Bobby Hajjaj। Rashna Imam | Election. Retrieved 14 February 2026 – via YouTube.
- ^ Bangladesh Pratidin (12 February 2026). ববি হাজ্জাজের বিজয়ে উচ্ছ্বসিত স্ত্রী ব্যারিস্টার রাশনা ইমাম জানালেন ২০ বছর আগের পরিকল্পনার কথা. Retrieved 14 February 2026 – via YouTube.
- ^ 'সরকারের সহযোগীতায় এনসিপির প্রতিষ্ঠার অনুষ্ঠান হয়েছে' | Rashna Imam | Politics | Channel 24. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 14 February 2026 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Rashna Imam – Akhtar Imam & Associates". Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ "Rashna Imam | IP STARS". asialaw. Retrieved 14 February 2026.