BNP Leader Accused of Attempted Shop Occupation and Assault in Bhola

BHOLA — A formal allegation has been lodged against Motahar Hossain Alamgir Malatia, the former General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Char Fasson Upazila unit, regarding an attempted forceful occupation of a commercial property and the physical assault of its proprietor. The accusations were detailed during a press conference held at the Char Fasson Press Club on Friday, 24 April 2026.

The complainant, Md Salam, provided a written statement during the briefing, asserting that his family has maintained legal possession of a retail outlet located in the Kapuria Patti area of the Char Fasson municipal town for approximately 55 years. The property was originally established and registered under his father’s name.

Details of the Alleged Occupation Attempt

According to the testimony provided by Md Salam, the dispute intensified following the significant political shifts in the country on 5 August 2024. Salam alleged that Alamgir Malatia sought to leverage his political influence to forcibly evict the family from their long-held premises. During this period, the accused reportedly placed a padlock on the establishment to prevent the rightful owners from conducting business.

Md Salam further explained that while the family managed to regain control of the shop following the national elections, the harassment persisted. On 7 April 2024, Malatia allegedly approached the shop’s current tenant, asserting ownership of the property and demanding the payment of monthly rent. When the tenant refused to comply with the demand, citing the existing ownership agreement with Salam’s family, the accused reportedly subjected the tenant to verbal abuse.

Incident of Physical Assault

The situation escalated when Md Salam arrived at the scene upon receiving word of the disturbance. Salam stated that rather than engaging in a civil discussion regarding the property’s status, Alamgir Malatia resorted to physical violence.

“When I arrived at the location to address the matter, Alamgir Malatia assaulted me severely,” Salam reported during the press conference. “Following the attack, I was required to seek primary medical treatment at a local hospital.”

The victim has called upon the authorities to ensure the safety of his family and to protect their commercial interests from further political interference or extrajudicial attempts at dispossession.

Defence and Counter-Allegations

In response to the accusations, Motahar Hossain Alamgir Malatia denied any wrongdoing and characterised himself as the victim of a broader conspiracy. He asserted that the land in question is legally documented as his family’s ancestral property.

Malatia countered the claims by suggesting that the current occupants are “opportunists” who align themselves with whichever political administration is in power to maintain control over contested lands. Regarding the ownership status, he remarked:

“I am a victim of a conspiracy. These lands are legally ours according to our deeds. If the government had acquired this land, it would be for public use. However, a certain quarter exploits political transitions to enjoy these properties illegally. I intend to pursue this matter through legal channels and I have not demanded any extortion from anyone.”

Context of Land Disputes in the Region

Property disputes involving local political figures have become a recurring issue in the Bhola district, often surfacing during periods of political transition. The Kapuria Patti area, being a prime commercial hub in Char Fasson, remains highly sensitive to such conflicts.

As of 24 April 2026, the local police administration has not confirmed whether a formal First Information Report (FIR) has been registered following the press conference. Legal experts note that the resolution of such cases typically requires a dual approach: a civil court verification of the land titles and a criminal investigation into the allegations of physical assault and harassment.

The Char Fasson Press Club briefing concluded with the victim, Md Salam, urging the senior leadership of the BNP and the local administration to intervene and prevent members of political organisations from using their status to influence private property matters. The accused, Malatia, maintained that his actions are aimed solely at reclaiming what he considers his documented legal right.