The incident allegedly took place on Tuesday, 10 November. The victim, Abdul Kader, submitted a written complaint to Baraigram Police Station on Friday night, 13 November, naming nine individuals and accusing another seven to eight unidentified people of involvement.
Those named in the complaint include Babul Hossain, 30, convener of the JCD’s Jonail Union unit; its general secretary, Sabbir Hossain, 32; and party activists Jahidul Islam, 30, and Sujon Mia, 28. Several local BNP figures were also named, including Afsar Ali, 55, Rafique Sarkar, 45, Astal Ali, 30, Rubel Hossain, 30, and Jobayer Hossain, 35.
The complaint describes all the accused as followers of Rashedul Islam Russell, former president of the Jonail Union BNP.
The dispute reportedly began following an administrative operation against illegal fishing nets in Chamta Beel, in Jonail Union. According to the complaint, Babul Hossain had installed a sonti jal, a type of fishing net, near the entrance of a bridge in the waterbody to catch fish.
After receiving information about the practice, the upazila administration conducted a drive on 10 November to remove the net. During the operation, officials also burned and destroyed Chinese-style chayna duari fishing nets reportedly worth around Tk 300,000.
The land beside the bridge where the fishing net had been installed reportedly belonged to Abdul Kader, a businessman from Tebaria village who operates a business at Jonail Pagla Bazar.
Kader alleged that Babul suspected him of informing the administration about the illegal fishing arrangement and helping officials carry out the operation. The suspicion allegedly led to his abduction and detention.
According to Kader, he was returning home from Chamta Beel around midday when Babul and several associates intercepted him in a mango orchard beside Afsar Ali’s house. They allegedly took him to the beel, where several BNP activists accused him of providing information to the administration.
Kader claimed that the group subsequently demanded Tk 1.2 million from him as compensation for the removal of the fishing net and destruction of the nets. When he refused to pay, the accused allegedly confiscated his mobile phone and physically assaulted him.
He further alleged that he was held for approximately five hours before being forced to arrange Tk 300,000 from his home through other people. The money was subsequently handed over to the group.
Kader specifically alleged that Afsar Ali received the money from him, while Babul Hossain and several others were present during the transaction. He also claimed that the accused made him promise to pay another Tk 100,000 at a later date.
The businessman said he was threatened with death if he disclosed the incident to anyone or approached the police. The threats, according to his account, added to the pressure he faced during the alleged detention.
The allegations, however, have been rejected by the individuals named in the complaint.
Afsar Ali denied any involvement, saying he knew nothing about the incident or the alleged events surrounding it.
Babul Hossain also dismissed the allegations. He acknowledged that he had been suspected of being responsible for informing the administration about the fishing operation but claimed that he had no involvement in the matter. He said relatives subsequently came and took him away. He rejected claims that Kader had been assaulted or that any money had changed hands.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Laila Jannatul Ferdous described the allegations as embarrassing and said legal action would be taken against those found responsible.
Baraigram Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shafiqul Islam confirmed that a written complaint had been received. He said the allegations would be investigated and appropriate legal action taken based on the findings.
The case has raised concerns over alleged intimidation and the misuse of political influence at the local level. The allegations also highlight the importance of ensuring that administrative enforcement operations are not followed by private acts of retaliation or attempts to extract money from individuals suspected of providing information to authorities.
However, the claims remain allegations at this stage. The police investigation is expected to establish whether the businessman was unlawfully detained, assaulted and forced to hand over money, as well as the extent of any involvement by the individuals named in the complaint.
