Asif denies any link to extortion, says allegation ‘entirely politically motivated’
The adviser says he hasn’t met Apu since 5 Aug
Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan has denied any role in an extortion at the residence of a former MP in Gulshan, saying he has not met the accuser Jane Alam Apu since 5 August 2024 and called the allegations "entirely politically motivated".
"I have never met him or spoken to him since that date, and I do not know the other person named Riyad being mentioned. He does not know me either, because we have never met," Asif told BBC Bangla today (14 August).
The comments came after a 35-minute video circulated on Facebook showing Apu, former joint convener of the Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad and arrested in the Gulshan extortion case, claiming to have met Asif Mahmud before visiting the former MP's residence in Gulshan for extortion.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Apu questioned why this information was missing from media reports.
Meanwhile, Apu's wife Kazi Anisha yesterday at a press conference claimed BNP leader Ishraque Hossain was behind the video leak.
Anisha claimed Apu was held captive and his confession recorded at Ishraque's house in Gopibagh, where he was arrested.
She further claimed, "Ishraque may have offered legal help in exchange for naming either Adviser Asif or Nahid as the one who made Apu extort money."
Asif Mahmud also spoke to the media at his Secretariat office yesterday, calling the allegations against him "entirely politically motivated".
Extortion attempt at Gulshan: BNP's Salahuddin demands probe into advisers over possible connection
"This is a very serious allegation," Asif Mahmud said regarding Anisha's claims. "If true, it shows the statement was coerced. Linking me to this is entirely political. We have defended ourselves against such claims before, and we may have to do so again."
CCTV footage and Asif's response
In the video, Apu describes events between the night of 16 July and early morning of 17 July, claiming that Asif Mahmud, wearing a helmet, met him near the Westin Hotel in Gulshan.
CCTV footage shows a bike leaving the scene, but Asif denies it was him.
Responding to reporters, Asif said, "After work, sometimes late at night or early in the morning, I go out for food. I usually head to Nila Market in the 300 Feet area for duck meat. Sometimes, a few of us go together. If Nila Market is closed, we usually go to the Westin. I can't specifically recall if I was at the Westin on that particular day."
He further said, "I don't know how credible it is if someone claims it's me based on just CCTV footage. This is under investigation. My name is being dragged in for political reasons."
Apu was arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) from the Wari area on 1 August. Based on information provided by him, police later recovered a motorcycle, allegedly purchased with Tk3.07 lakh of extortion money, from a residence in Mohammadpur.
