Ex-FM Hasan Mahmud, 112 others sued for illegal sand extraction from Ichamati River in Ctg

A case has been filed against former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud and 112 others on allegations of illegally extracting sand from the Ichamati River in Chattogram's Rangunia.

Chattogram Metropolitan Tanti Dal Joint Convener Nazim Uddin filed the case with the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in the port city on Thursday (26 September), District Bar Association General Secretary Advocate Ashraf Hossain Chowdhury Razzak told The Business Standard.

"The court acknowledged the complaint and ordered Rangunia police to investigate the matter and submit a report," he added.

Other prominent individuals accused in the case include former members of parliament ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury and Dipankar Talukdar, and Taibul Bashar Maizbhandari, son of former MP Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari.

Several local leaders from Rangunia Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League were also implicated.

According to the case statement, a powerful syndicate led by Hasan Mahmud had been illegally extracting sand from a vulnerable area on the south side of Ranirhat Bridge in the Ichamati River, damaging farmland owned by local farmers.

The complaint alleged that Hasan Mahmud and others involved have amassed wealth worth hundreds of crores of taka through these illicit activities.

Nazim Uddin, the plaintiff, identified himself as one of the victims whose land had been destroyed, placing him and others at risk of losing their homes.

He claimed that despite prior media reports on the issue, no action was taken by authorities due to the syndicate's power.