Durbar Rajshahi owner detained for 4 hours over unpaid player salaries

Durbar Rajshahi owner Shafiq Rahman was detained for four hours by law enforcement over unpaid player salaries in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

Following interrogation, he admitted to breaching previous commitments and assured that all dues would be cleared in three instalments by 10 February, as confirmed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Rahman was taken into custody at around midnight on Sunday and faced extensive questioning regarding unpaid salaries. During the four-hour interrogation, he admitted to breaching previous commitments and provided fresh assurances regarding the payments. He was released at approximately 4:00 AM on Monday after promising to clear all outstanding wages in three instalments by 10 February. This development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

During questioning, Rahman detailed his payment plan, stating that the first instalment—covering 25% of the dues—would be paid on Monday, followed by the second instalment on 7 February and the final instalment on 10 February. He also assured that payments would be made not only to players but also to other team personnel. Furthermore, he agreed to legal consequences should he fail to meet these commitments.

As per this assurance, Rajshahi has begun disbursing salaries to players. However, sources indicate that the payments have fallen short of the promised 25%. A Rajshahi player, speaking anonymously to The Business Standard, revealed, "We were supposed to receive 25% of our dues today, but not everyone got the full amount. For example, someone owed 10 lakh Taka might have received eight, while another expecting six lakh Taka got five. They have assured us that the shortfall will be adjusted in the second instalment on 7 February. We just want our money because the experience with Rajshahi this season has been unforgettable for all the wrong reasons."

The issue of unpaid salaries has dominated discussions throughout the ongoing BPL, with Durbar Rajshahi at the centre of the controversy. Despite repeated commitments, the team has failed to meet payment deadlines. Earlier in the tournament, Rajshahi players boycotted a training session in Chattogram due to non-payment. Additionally, cheques issued by the franchise bounced twice, and foreign players refused to take the field in one match. At one stage, some overseas cricketers were even stranded at their hotel due to unpaid bills.

In an attempt to resolve the crisis, the franchise owner met with the sports adviser at Mirpur Stadium last Saturday. Rahman had pledged to pay 50% of the dues by 2 February but failed to honour this commitment. The Ministry of Youth and Sports addressed the matter in its statement, stating, "Despite assuring the adviser that 50% of payments would be made by 2 February, this promise was not fulfilled. Instead, media reports have highlighted various irregularities."

Regarding Rahman's detention and questioning, the statement further noted, "In the early hours of 3 February, law enforcement authorities detained the controversial owner of Rajshahi to question him about the unresolved payments. Upon inquiry about the resolution, he admitted his faults and pledged to clear all dues in three instalments on 3, 7, and 10 February 2025."

The situation remains tense, with players and officials eagerly awaiting their overdue payments while keeping a close watch on whether Rahman follows through on his latest assurances.