Fugitive heroin trafficker seen in Jamaat event stirring controversy in Rajshahi

Controversy has erupted in Rajshahi after fugitive drug trafficker Setafur Rahman Babu – dismissed from his Union Parishad (UP) post in January 2023 following his arrest with 100 grams of heroin – was seen at an iftar event organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami last Monday.

Babu, who faces multiple murder cases following the 2024 uprising, was seen on stage behind Jamaat MP and central Nayeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman. In 2018, the home ministry ranked him ninth on a list of political figures involved in drug trading, naming former Awami League MP Omar Faruk Chowdhury as his patron. Babu also served as vice-president of the banned Jubo League in Wards 7, 8, and 9.

Locals said Babu began his career as a power tiller worker but amassed vast wealth through heroin trafficking, later being elected a member of Ward 8 of Matikata UP. 

During the 2018 parliamentary elections, Nazrul Islam, father of district Jubo Dal joint convener Robiul Islam Aronno Kusum, was killed in an attack linked to Babu. Masum Sarkar, Nazrul's eldest son, later filed a murder case naming Babu as the main accused. He also took over the local Zia Parishad office during the Awami League tenure, prompting further cases post-uprising.

Following the 2024 uprising, he went into hiding after cases were filed against him in Godagari and Boalia police stations, locals said, expressing outrage over his return and appearance on the Jamaat stage, alleging Babu now enjoys the patronage of Jamaat MP Mujibur Rahman.

Kusum said, "We came to know that the entire cost of this Jamaat iftar programme was borne by drug trafficker Babu. That is why he was allowed to sit on the stage.

"This Awami League goon killed my father while trying to seize a polling centre during elections. Now he is being seen on the Jamaat stage, sitting right beside the MP. This is very unfortunate."

Responding, Mujibur Rahman said, "I don't know him personally. I am unaware of his alleged cases or criminal record." 

Godagari police station's officer-in-charge Hasan Bashir did not respond to calls, while Rajshahi SP Mohammed Naeemul Hasan said, "We will investigate Babu's background and take action if he is involved in drug trafficking or other crimes."