Man claiming to be Jubo Dal leader demands Tk5 lakh from kidney specialist; organisation denies affiliation

A local individual, identifying himself as a Jubo Dal organising secretary, demanded Tk5 lakh from noted kidney specialist Professor Dr Kamrul Islam, hospital authorities said, following a dispute over food supply at his CKD & Urology Hospital in Shyamoli.

After the media reported the incident, senior leaders of Jubo Dal visited the hospital in the early hours of today (11 April), stating that the accused is not affiliated with the organisation and assuring action.

According to hospital sources, the accused, identified as Moin Uddin, is a resident of Shyamoli and had been supplying food to the hospital.

Authorities said he began charging higher prices recently. After this was identified, he was removed, and Dr Kamrul, also the managing director of the hospital, took over procurement himself.

Following his removal, Moin allegedly began threatening hospital staff and demanded Tk5 lakh.

He also brought groups of people to the hospital premises and attempted to intimidate employees.

Hospital authorities further said he labelled Dr Kamrul a "crony" of the banned Awami League and tried to force him and others out of the hospital.

Yesterday (10 April), he reportedly gathered 60 to 70 people in front of the hospital, where they chanted slogans against Dr Kamrul. Police later arrived and brought the situation under control.

Abu Bakar Siddique, personal secretary to Dr Kamrul and assistant administrator of the hospital, said, "Dr Kamrul arranges food for patients without taking any money. Since 5 August 2024, Moin had been supplying food, identifying himself as a Jubo Dal organising secretary. Before Eid-ul-Fitr, he supplied 25 sacks of rice at higher prices. After this was identified, he was removed."

He added, "Since then, he has been pressuring staff in various ways. He issued threats to hospital officials and demanded Tk5 lakh. When the demand was not met, he gathered people in front of the hospital and created unrest."

He also said a General Diary was filed with the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station about a month ago, but the matter was not resolved.

Following media reports on the incident, a delegation led by Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna and General Secretary Mohammad Nurul Islam Noyon visited the hospital around 1:30am today.

After meeting the physician, they said that the individual is not a member of Jubo Dal and added that he is using the organisation's name for personal gain.

They also contacted law enforcement officials and requested action against the accused, assuring that those involved in extortion would not be spared.

Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, said a complaint has been received. "We are investigating the matter and trying to apprehend the accused," he said.