Jubo Dal men accused of extorting late BNP leader Delwar's family
Police say case will be registered after identification of accused confirmed
Relatives of late BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain have filed a police complaint alleging extortion and intimidation by individuals claiming to be leaders of the BNP's youth wing Jubo Dal.
A group of men identifying themselves as Jubo Dal leaders demanded Tk1 lakh from the family and held one of Delwar's relatives hostage at her Moghbazar residence on Friday, according to a written complaint filed with Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Hatirjheel Police Station.
When contacted, Hatirjheel Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Raju said, "We have received an extortion complaint and are investigating the matter. CCTV footage is being reviewed to identify the suspects. The case will be registered only after identification is confirmed, and arrests will follow."
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Khandaker Delwar's daughter-in-law, Tanjil Hamid Mitul, told journalists on Monday that her elder sister, Sharmin Wadud Nipa, was held hostage in her flat in Moghbazar's Greenway area on Friday by the extortionists.
The written complaint, filed the same day of the incident, states that four men – identified as Shawon, Habib, Sajid and Sunny – entered Nipa's flat in Nayatola, Moghbazar, demanded money, and threatened to kill her if she did not vacate the flat.
"They demanded Tk1 lakh. As we had no money at home, they forced us to withdraw Tk80,000 from a nearby City Bank booth and also took a cheque of Tk20,000," she said.
Mitul alleged that one of the men, Shawon, introduced himself as the leader of Jubo Dal's Hatirjheel Thana unit, while another, Habib, claimed to be the unit's religious affairs secretary.
"They threatened us with weapons and told my sister to vacate the flat or face death," she added.
Mitul said the men returned on Saturday night and repeated the threats, demanding that her sister vacate the flat by next month.
When contacted, Jubo Dal Joint General Secretary Billal Hossain Tareque said the accused men do not hold any official position in the organisation.
"It is not yet confirmed whether the accused are Jubo Dal activists or supporters. We are looking into the matter. There is no scope for such activities. If the allegations are proven, the party will take immediate action. Jubo Dal also urges the authorities to take legal steps against those responsible," he told TBS.
Khandaker Delwar Hossain served as the secretary general of the BNP in 2007-2011. He was elected five times as a lawmaker from constituency Manikganj-1. He died on 16 March 2011.
