Extortion attempt in Gulshan: 4, including SAD leader, placed on 7-day remand

Four individuals,  including a convenor and two members of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), have been placed on a seven-day remand in connection with a case of attempted extortion of Tk50 lakh from the residence of Awami League leader and former MP Shammi Ahmed in the capital's Gulshan area.

Dhaka's Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ziadur Rahman issued the order following a hearing this afternoon (27 July). 

Watch: Everyone is pretending to be surprised by the news of extortion: Umama Fatima

The four arrested are Ibrahim Hossain Munna, Dhaka Metropolitan convenor of the Students Against Discrimination; its members Md Sakadaun Siam and Sadman Sadab, and Abdur Razzak Riyad, a central committee member of the Democratic Student Council. 

Earlier in the day, the investigating officer, Inspector Mokhlesur Rahman of Gulshan Police Station, produced the accused before the court with a 10-day remand for each.

5, including SAD coordinator, held for attempted extortion at ex-MP's Gulshan residence

Additional Public Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon argued in support of the remand request on behalf of the state. 

As no defence lawyer was present for the accused, the hearing proceeded in their absence. After reviewing the arguments, the court granted a seven-day remand for each of the four individuals.

The SAD central committee permanently expelled Munna, Siam, and Sadab from the organisation for violating organisational policies and discipline yesterday (26 July), according to a press release.

It said the decision was approved by SAD President Rifat Rashid and General Secretary Hasan Inam. SAD has also instructed all its leaders and activists to sever all organisational ties with the expelled individuals. 

Angry crowd assaults accused SAD leaders in court premises

The four accused, including the SAD leader and members, were physically assaulted by an angry mob on the court premises. 

The assaults took place before and after their remand hearing in connection with the extortion case in Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ziadur Rahman's court.

The accused arrived at the court around 4:10 pm in a white police van and were escorted directly to the courtroom on the fourth floor. As they were taken inside, a group of agitated individuals shouted slogans and were seen physically assaulting the accused in violation of court security protocols.

Arrested student leaders deny extortion allegation

Once inside the court, the state counsel asked the accused individuals, "Did you go there to extort money?" 

In response, the accused claimed innocence, saying, "We didn't demand any money. We called the police ourselves before going there. We were just standing downstairs when the police picked us up without explanation."

Shortly after, the judge entered the courtroom and the remand hearing began. Additional Public Prosecutor Muhammad Shamsuddoha Sumon stated, "These are not ordinary accused. Since 5 August, this group has been identifying the homes of Awami League leaders in Dhanmondi, Gulshan, and Banani, compiling lists, and extorting money. They even boast about it on Facebook and mock political figures like Tarique Rahman." 

He added, "They went to the home of an Awami League leader who is currently in hiding and demanded money in the name of NCP. These people are trying to bring Sheikh Hasina back by force. They are too young to legally own crores of taka. Remand will reveal how much money they truly have."

They betrayed sacrifices of July movement: State counsel

The state counsel also said, "They have betrayed the sacrifices made during the July movement. We need to know who else is involved and where the extorted funds went. That's why we sought a 10-day remand."

Defense counsel Akhter Hossain Bhuiyan argued against the remand, saying, "I won't elaborate. I only ask the court to verify whether they had called the police station before going there."

Several lawyers representing the plaintiff demanded the maximum remand term. Meanwhile, the accused appeared visibly shaken and fearful throughout the proceedings.

At 4:37pm, as police escorted the accused from the courtroom to a prison van under heavy security, the same angry crowd again attacked them with punches and kicks while shouting slogans.

According to police, four were arrested yesterday (26 July) when the suspects allegedly returned to Shammi Ahmed's home to collect the remainder of the extorted funds.

The case statement details that on 17 July, Abdur Razzak Riyad and an associate, Kazi Gaurab Opu, visited Shammi Ahmed's Gulshan-2 residence and demanded Tk50 lakh in cash, along with gold ornaments. At the time, Shammi's husband, Siddique Abu Zafar, was present and allegedly coerced into handing over Tk10 lakh under threat.

The suspects reportedly warned that failure to comply would result in Zafar's arrest, branding him a supporter of autocracy and an associate of the ruling party. They returned again on 19 July, reiterating their threats and demanding the remaining Tk40 lakh.

When the accused returned on 26 July to collect the balance, police—acting on prior intelligence—detained four of them at the scene. However, Kazi Gaurab Opu reportedly fled the premises and remains at large.

Following the incident, Zafar filed a formal complaint at Gulshan Police Station, naming six individuals in the extortion case. Investigations are ongoing.