A legal case has been filed against five individuals following the cancellation of Pakistani singer Atif Aslam’s much-anticipated concert in Dhaka, due to allegations that ticket purchasers were not refunded. The case targets both the organisers and the key individuals involved in the event’s management.
The accused include Kazi Rafsan, co-founder of the organising company Main Stage Inc., along with Brity Sabrina Khan, the company Cholghuri Limited, Cholghuri Limited’s Managing Director Asif Iqbal, and its Chairman, Promi Islam.
On Tuesday, 15 December, Barrister Ahsan Habib Bhuiya submitted the petition before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Zakir Hossain’s court in Dhaka. According to the legal representative, the move was prompted by the organisers’ failure to refund ticket fees following the concert’s abrupt cancellation, constituting allegations of fraud.
The plaintiff’s lawyer stated that the court has accepted the case and instructed the investigative police to submit a detailed report within fifteen working days. Based on this report, further legal action will be determined.
Earlier, on 11 December, Atif Aslam confirmed the cancellation via a post on his verified Facebook page. In the statement, he explained that the organisers had failed to secure the necessary local permissions, safety clearances, and logistical arrangements required to conduct the concert safely. He expressed regret to his Bangladeshi fans, emphasising that under the circumstances, holding the event would have been neither safe nor feasible.
Originally scheduled for 13 December in Dhaka, the concert was expected to feature performances by Atif Aslam, popular local band Nemesis, Azam Khan Feeders, and several prominent folk artists. Ticket holders, eagerly awaiting the event, expressed deep disappointment and frustration following the announcement.
In recent years, hosting large-scale international concerts in major Bangladeshi cities has often faced considerable challenges. In particular, deficiencies in security, permits, and logistical arrangements have repeatedly caused complications for both organisers and attendees. Legal experts believe that cases such as this may serve as an important precedent, potentially improving standards for future international events in the country.