Followers of a Jubo Dal leader allegedly vandalised and looted alcoholic beverages from Zakaria Restaurant and Bar in Mohakhali after they were denied access to a VIP room, according to police and witnesses. The attackers are also accused of harassing female guests and staffers during the incident.
The management of Hotel Zakaria International Limited filed a case on Wednesday with Banani Police Station, naming Monir Hossain Khan (42), convenor of Banani Thana Jubo Dal, and his associates Liton (30), Hasan (35), Samu (32), and Jahir (30), along with several unidentified individuals.
The Jubo Dal leadership later expelled Monir Hossain from the organisation for breaching party discipline and engaging in criminal activities.
According to a written complaint by hotel manager Abu Bakkar Siddiq, Monir arrived at the restaurant on 30 June at around 8:05pm and requested a VIP room, which was unavailable. He then sat at a regular table, ordered food and drinks, and demanded a discount, claiming he was a local Jubo Dal leader. Although the restaurant granted him a discount, he reportedly threatened staff as he left, warning of retaliation.
Around 8:40pm, a man named Liton returned with 20–25 associates, identifying themselves as Monir’s men, and launched an attack on the restaurant, vandalising property and threatening staff. The attackers warned employees not to contact police, vowing to attack again if they did. The damage was estimated at around Tk 1 million.
Banani Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Russel Sarwar told the Times of Bangladesh on Thursday night that Monir Hossain and around 20–25 unidentified suspects have been sued over the attack, though no arrests had been made as of yet. “Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the accused,” he added.
The incident drew fresh attention on social media after expatriate journalist Julkar Nain Shayer posted videos of the vandalism from the restaurant’s bar on Facebook Thursday evening. CCTV footage of the attack has since gone viral.
Within hours of the videos spreading online, Jubo Dal announced Monir’s expulsion. Sharif Uddin Jewel, convener of the party’s Dhaka Metropolitan North unit, said, “There were allegations against Monir before. We are taking organisational action after an investigation.”
Previous complaints also surfaced against Monir, including an alleged attack on Banani’s Jol Khabor Restaurant on 20 January for extortion, reportedly led jointly by Monir and BNP’s Ward-20 General Secretary Mizanur Rahman Akhter.
Md Emdadul Haque Emdad, the investigation officer for the current Banani case, told the Times of Bangladesh: “We are investigating the incident. The process to bring those responsible under the law has begun.”
Attempts to reach Monir Hossain for comment were unsuccessful as his mobile phone was found switched off.