Mayor accused of obstructing police bid to arrest 'Bihari Boga' at Ctg City Corp building

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain has been accused of obstructing a police bid to arrest listed criminal Waqil Hossain, alias 'Bihari Boga', at the CCC building last night (6 October).

The mayor denied the allegation, saying Boga was not at the CCC building at the time and that a smear campaign was being carried out against him ahead of the election.

According to allegations, police went to the CCC building after receiving information about Boga's movement in the area. The mayor allegedly expressed displeasure and asked the officers to leave.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), however, said it had information about Boga's movement around the Tigerpass and CCC office areas but no specific information confirming that he was inside the city corporation building.

"There has been some misunderstanding over the matter. Boga is a wanted accused of ours. There are multiple cases against him, including cases with arrest warrants. Police are regularly trying to arrest him," CMP Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations) Aminur Rashid told The Business Standard today (7 October).

He said a police team was stationed outside the entrance to the mayor's office in the Tigerpass area yesterday and tried to arrest Boga after receiving information about his movement there.

"We did not have any specific information confirming his presence inside the city corporation building. We had information about his movement around the area," Aminur said.

He also said he did not have specific information on whether any police officer had entered the building to arrest Boga.

Meanwhile, a commotion broke out in front of the CCC building during the incident. There were allegations that the mayor's supporters jostled journalists covering the incident and snatched a mobile phone.

In a video circulated on social media, the mayor was heard telling journalists as he left the CCC building, "Why have you come here? A hundred people will come to the city corporation. You should leave."

A review of several videos circulated online did not show any scene confirming Boga's presence inside the CCC building.

Mayor Shahadat told TBS, "Boga was not there. A smear campaign is being carried out against me ahead of the election. There was no wanted accused at the CCC office or in my car. There is CCTV footage. You can analyse it if you want."

Who is 'Bihari Boga'?

Waqil Hossain, alias 'Bihari Boga', is a listed criminal in Chattogram's Khulshi area.

According to police, he faces 23 cases with Khulshi Police Station involving allegations of arms, explosives, and extortion.

Police recently went to arrest him over an alleged assault on a college teacher, when his associates allegedly attacked the police, injuring six members, including the station's officer-in-charge.

Boga was expelled from the post of joint convener of the city Swechchhasebak Dal on 8 June over allegations of involvement in criminal activities. He is known as a follower of a senior city BNP leader.