The principal suspect, Rajib Hossain, serves as the joint convener of the Sadar Upazila Jubo Dal and is a former vice-president of the district Chhatra Dal. Officers apprehended Rajib along with his associate, Swapan, late on Monday night during a targeted raid in the Muktarpur area under Panchasar Union.

According to the official police report and statement from the victim’s family, the incident began on Sunday afternoon at around 2:00 pm. The victim, Mohammad Habibur Rahman—a registered marriage registrar (Kazi) with two decades of service in the Katakhali region and the father of a media journalist—was resting at his home in Katakhali. A group of individuals, led by Rajib and Swapan, arrived on three motorbikes under the pretext of needing his services to solemnize a wedding.

Instead of taking him to a wedding venue, the group coerced Mr Rahman into visiting his official office first before forcibly transporting him to an isolated room in Muktarpur. Once confined, Swapan confronted the registrar, alleging that his wife, Iti, had officially registered a divorce notice at Mr Rahman’s office on 1 October without his approval.

The confrontation quickly escalated into extortion. The men allegedly threatened to revoke Mr Rahman’s official registrar licence and kill him if he refused to pay 200,000 BDT immediately. Fearing for his life, the elderly registrar agreed to comply with their demands.

Accompanied by his wife, Nasima Begum, Mr Rahman went directly to the Munshiganj branch of Agrani Bank PLC to withdraw 200,000 BDT from his personal account. The money was handed over to the perpetrators, who released him shortly afterwards.

Following his release, Mr Rahman lodged a formal complaint at Munshiganj Sadar Police Station on Monday evening against Rajib, Swapan, another local resident named Sohel, and four to five unidentified individuals.

The victim’s son stated that local influential figures attempted to suppress the matter and intimidated the family against pursuing legal remedies. However, he emphasized that the family seeks impartial justice regardless of any political affiliations involved.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Munshiganj Sadar Police Station, Mohammad Taslim Uddin, confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects were taken into custody based on specific criminal allegations and subsequently forwarded to court on Tuesday afternoon. Legal proceedings to apprehend the remaining suspects are ongoing.