Youth Leader Accused of Car Fraud

A serious allegation of fraud and intimidation has emerged in Rajshahi, where a local youth political leader is accused of absconding with a vehicle taken from a garage under the pretext of a trial drive. The accused, SM Sofiq Mahmud Tanmay, is a member of the Rajshahi Metropolitan Jubo Dal convening committee and currently serves as acting office secretary of the organisation. Despite the incident occurring more than six weeks ago, the vehicle has not been returned, prompting legal action and public outcry.

According to the complainant, garage owner Nur Ahmed, Tanmay visited his garage in the Bondhogate area of the city on the afternoon of 18 November, expressing interest in purchasing a jeep bearing registration number Dhaka Metro Ga-02-0870. After negotiations, both parties agreed on a price of Tk 600,000. Tanmay then requested to take the vehicle for a short trial drive, assuring he would return shortly. However, he failed to do so and subsequently became unreachable for several hours.

Nur Ahmed stated that repeated attempts to contact Tanmay were initially ignored. When communication was eventually established, Tanmay allegedly offered a series of excuses, ranging from attending meetings to being at a private hospital due to the illness of the party chairperson. Upon returning to Rajshahi, Tanmay is alleged to have issued direct threats, asserting his political influence and warning the garage owner against pursuing legal action. Nur Ahmed claims he was threatened with death if he continued to press the matter.

On 14 December, Nur Ahmed approached Rajpara Police Station to lodge a complaint, but the case was not formally recorded. He alleges that police advised him to seek legal redress through the courts due to the accused’s political standing. Consequently, on 22 December, he filed a case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Rajshahi. He also informed senior leaders of the BNP and Jubo Dal but says no immediate action was taken.

At a press conference held on Sunday at a city restaurant, Nur Ahmed presented documents, including the purchase agreement and all BRTA registration papers, to substantiate his ownership of the vehicle. He further claimed that Tanmay had previously been involved in a similar incident involving another vehicle, for which a separate case is reportedly pending.

Tanmay has denied the allegations, claiming the vehicle was taken in a non-functional condition and asserting that Nur Ahmed had previously attempted to sell it to another buyer. He accused the garage owner of defamation and stated his intention to file a counter-case.

Responding to the controversy, Rajshahi Metropolitan Jubo Dal’s acting convenor, Shariful Islam Jony, said the organisation would forward the matter to the central committee for organisational action, in line with directives from BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to take strict measures against any member involved in wrongdoing.

Key Timeline of Events

The case has raised broader concerns about the alleged misuse of political influence and the challenges faced by small business owners in seeking timely justice.