Court orders interrogation of Qcoom CEO Ripon at jail gate

A Dhaka court has ordered police to interrogate Md Ripon Mia, chief executive officer (CEO) of e-commerce company Qcoom, at the jail gate in a case accusing him of criminal breach of trust and fraud.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jewel Rana issued the order after a hearing today (12 November). Sub-Inspector Zakir Hossain of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Prosecution Department confirmed the matter. 

Badda Police Station Sub-Inspector Anisur Rahman Morol, the investigation officer of the case, produced Ripon before the court yesterday after arresting him from the capitals' Khilkhet area and requested a five-day remand. The court sent Ripon to jail that day and had scheduled the remand hearing for today.

During the hearing, the defence lawyers asked the court to cancel the remand request and grant bail, while the prosecution opposed both pleas. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the remand and bail petitions and ordered a one day interrogation at the jail gate instead. 

According to the case statement, the accused ran an e-commerce website named Qcoom.com and sold various products through flashy online advertisements. Between 30 May and 19 July 2021, the plaintiff and 34 others, attracted by these ads, reportedly paid a total of Tk1.3 crore to buy different branded motorbikes and other products.

The company promised delivery within seven to 35 working days but has not delivered any bikes or products or refunded the buyers, according to the case statement. 

For the past four years, Ripon and his associates have reportedly kept delaying and making false promises. When victims warned of legal action, they allegedly threatened them with intimidation and lawsuits.

Finally, on 2 August, a victim named Sujon Mia, filed the case with Badda Police Station.