3 Police closed on charge of kidnapping

Three police members have been withdrawn (closed) and attached to the police lines on charges of kidnapping, beating, and extorting money from a businessman in the Konabari area of Gazipur City Corporation.

Since the incident came to light, it has created widespread sensation in the area and anger has spread among the general public.

The withdrawn members are Konabari Police Station’s ASI Azizul Haq, Constable Nazmul Hossain, and Mamun Hossain.

Confirming the matter, Konabari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Iftekhar Hossain said that three police members including one ASI have been withdrawn based on specific allegations.

Victim businessman Md. Delwar Hossain stated in his written complaint that he is involved in a press business in the Chowrasta area. On Monday night at approximately 10:00 PM, while crossing the road opposite Rubel Filling Station, several individuals in a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw forcibly picked him up and took him to a secluded location on the east side of Kashem Cotton in the Baimile Harinchala area.

There, under the guise of a search, he was physically tortured. At one point, yaba tablets in a polythene bag were shown to him and he was threatened with being framed in a drug case. Subsequently, cash amounting to 28,400 taka was snatched from him.

At the time, another young man named Sifat, who was also in the auto-rickshaw, was detained as well. He was threatened on the allegation that his mobile phone contained an online gambling app, and attempts were made to extort money from him as well. At one point, the complaint mentions that Sifat sent 2,400 taka to Delwar’s mobile through his brother.

Delwar was then taken by the CNG driver to the Baimile Mosque Market area, where an additional 7,200 taka was withdrawn from his mobile banking (bKash) account.

The victim claims that after taking the money, the accused took his photograph and threatened him with serious harm if he told anyone. Later, when he was dropped off near the scene, only 400 taka was returned to him.

The complaint further states that at approximately 2:00 AM after the incident, 8 police members went to his home, attempted to settle the matter, and forcibly returned 5,000 taka.

The following day, on Tuesday afternoon, Delwar Hossain filed a written complaint at the relevant police station and demanded a proper investigation into the incident and the return of the extorted money.

Konabari Zone Assistant Police Commissioner Md. Abu Naser Al-Amin stated that the victim’s complaint has been taken seriously. Necessary legal action will be taken subject to investigation.