A case has been filed against a leader of the municipal Jubo Dal in Sherpur, Bogura, over allegations of demanding Tk 500 million in extortion, attacking and vandalising a business establishment, assaulting employees and taking cash from the premises.
Tarikul Islam Samrat, senior joint convener of Sherpur Municipal Jubo Dal, has been named the principal accused in the case. Twelve other Jubo Dal leaders and activists have also been named in the First Information Report (FIR), while another 50 to 60 unidentified people have been listed as accused.
The case was filed at Sherpur Police Station on Saturday, 12 September, by Mohammad Abdullah Al Rifat, 33, director of Sayem Travels and Tours and Sayem Traders and joint convener of Sherpur Upazila Chhatra Dal. He is the son of expatriate businessman Abdul Mannan, the proprietor of the establishments.
According to the FIR, Sayem Travels and Tours and Sayem Traders operate along Sanyalpara Hatkhola Road in Sherpur municipality. The complaint states that Tarikul Islam Samrat visited the office of the businesses on the evening of 8 September.
At the time, Samrat allegedly demanded Tk 500 million in extortion from Mohammad Rezaul Karim Mondal Suruj, the manager of the businesses, on behalf of the owner. The complainant alleged that the manager was warned that the businesses would not be allowed to continue operating in the area if the money was not paid. The accused also allegedly threatened to occupy land owned by the business, according to the FIR.
The complaint further states that two days later, at around 5:30pm on 10 September, a group of 50 to 60 people entered the business premises under the leadership and alleged instigation of Samrat. Some members of the group were reportedly carrying locally made weapons.
According to the allegations, the group again demanded Tk 500 million after entering the office. When the demand was refused, they allegedly attacked and vandalised the premises. Furniture and other business property were damaged, with the complainant estimating the loss at around Tk 50,000.
Employees who attempted to resist the attack were allegedly beaten. The complaint also alleges that the attackers took Tk 110,000 in cash from a bag kept on a table inside the office. They allegedly left the premises after issuing threats to kill those present.
The complainant further stated that the people involved in the incident were identified by reviewing footage from the establishment’s CCTV cameras.
Complainant’s allegations
Abdullah Al Rifat said the people involved in the dispute belonged to the same political organisation as him. Despite this, he said, his family’s businesses had been targeted with an alleged extortion demand, vandalism and physical attacks.
He said the incident had created fear among those involved with the businesses and called for a proper investigation to ensure their security and allow normal commercial activities to continue.
Rifat also alleged that the Jubo Dal leader had previously been involved in what he described as a rental business on land acquired by the government. He called for an investigation into the allegations and legal action against anyone found responsible.
Jubo Dal leader denies allegations
Tarikul Islam Samrat has denied all the allegations brought against him. He said he was in the Gosaibari Bottola area of Sherpur town when the incident allegedly took place.
“There was no incident of extortion, assault or vandalism there,” he said.
Samrat claimed the dispute was actually related to land ownership. According to him, the complainant’s side had been attempting to occupy local ancestral and government land, prompting local businesspeople to go to the area in protest.
He alleged that the case had been filed to politically discredit and harass him following the dispute.
Samrat also said the CCTV footage would reveal what actually happened. He reiterated that no demand for Tk 500 million in extortion had been made.
Police investigating
Sherpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge SM Moinuddin confirmed that a case had been registered over the incident and said the investigation was under way.
He said the FIR contained allegations of extortion, assault and vandalism, among other matters. Police were examining the allegations to establish what had actually happened, he added.
The investigation is expected to examine available evidence, including the CCTV footage mentioned in the complaint, as well as statements from those involved. Police will take legal action against individuals found responsible based on the findings of the investigation.
The case has brought allegations of a major extortion demand and an attack on a business establishment into focus in Sherpur. However, the principal accused has rejected the allegations and described the dispute as a land-related conflict. The investigation will therefore be central to determining the circumstances surrounding the incident and the responsibility of those named in the case.
