Students Against Discrimination suspends all committees except central body after Gulshan extortion attempt
Four student leaders placed on 7-day remand
Activities of all regional and district-level committees of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) across the country have been suspended, leaving only the central committee active.
The decision comes following the arrest of four individuals, including a convener and two SAD members, 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 on Saturday.
The announcement was made at an emergency press conference held by the organisation's top leadership in the capital's Shahbagh this afternoon (27 July).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Earlier, the four student leaders were placed on a seven-day remand in connection with the attempted extortion.
Dhaka's Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ziadur Rahman issued the order following a hearing yesterday afternoon.
The four arrested are Ibrahim Hossain Munna, Dhaka Metropolitan convener 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.
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.
According to police, four were arrested on Saturday 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. 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 information – detained four of them at the scene. However, Kazi Gaurab Opu 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.
SAD President Rifat Rashid said, "There have been, and continue to be, attempts to misuse the banner and name of the Students Against Discrimination for various unethical activities. We had warned earlier that such actions would not be tolerated."
While speaking at the press briefing, he also urged law enforcement agencies to take appropriate legal action against individuals found involved in immoral or unlawful acts under the organisation's name.
The platform also expelled Ibrahim Hossain Munna, Sakadaun Siam, and Sadab from their organisational positions for violating internal policies and discipline.
The decision was approved by the organisation's President Rifat Rashid and General Secretary Hasan Inam. The group also instructed all its members to sever any organisational ties with the expelled individuals.
