Allegations have emerged against several local leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its student wing, Chhatra Dal, for forcibly snatching nearly 200 grams of gold from a returning expatriate in front of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital. Those named in the allegations hold various leadership posts within the Airport Thana units of the BNP and Chhatra Dal.

According to complaints, the syndicate is allegedly run by Rauf, President of the Airport Thana Organisational Ward BNP; Ripon Hossain, President of Airport Thana Chhatra Dal; Al Amin Hossain Shanto, General Secretary of Airport Thana Chhatra Dal; and Rubel, Organisational Secretary of the Organisational Ward BNP.

According to information from a confidential law enforcement report on Friday (29 August), the incident took place on Thursday (28 August) between approximately 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm in front of the airport, where the accused seized nearly 200 grams of gold from the returning overseas worker.

An expatriate named Md Sumon filed a case with Airport Police Station against the accused regarding the incident.

The report noted that the accused took the gold shortly after the individual arrived in the country from abroad. However, detailed information regarding the victim’s full identity, the estimated market value of the gold, or whether a formal complaint had been lodged immediately remained unspecified in the initial report summary.

Local victims indicated that extortion and mugging under the guise of political affiliation are widespread in the airport area. Speaking on condition of anonymity, several victims stated that individuals using political identities are exerting undue influence, harassing members of the public, and causing a surge in local muggings and extortion.

According to their accounts, expatriates and ordinary passengers arriving at or departing from the airport frequently fall prey to these activities. Many victims reportedly fear lodging formal complaints due to the suspects’ political connections and local influence.

However, independent verification of these allegations could not be immediately obtained. Similarly, statements could not be secured from the named BNP and Chhatra Dal leaders regarding the gold snatching allegations.

Law enforcement agencies have not provided immediate updates regarding formal arrests or the progress of the investigation. Authorities noted that the accuracy of the allegations and the extent of the suspects’ involvement remain subject to ongoing investigative confirmation.