Five youths were arrested on Saturday evening on a charge of taking extortion money from a former Awami League lawmaker in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, allegedly introducing themselves as “coordinators” of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The arrestees, identified as Md Siam, Sadman Sadab, Md Aminul Islam, Ibrahim Hossain and Abdur Razzak Riyad, were taken to Gulshan Police Station.
A process of filing a case against the arrestees was underway till the writing of this report at 10:00pm, police said.
Police sources said among the arrestees, Riyad is the acting convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement’s Combined Private University unit and a member of the Bangladesh Democratic Student Union.
The other detainees are reportedly activists and leaders at various levels of the anti-discrimination movement.
Hafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Gulshan Police Station, said the arrestees demanded Tk 1 crore from Shammi Ahmed, a former lawmaker from women’s reserved seat. They had already taken Tk 10 lakh.
When the youths came to Shammi Ahmed’s residence to take the remaining amount of money, she informed police.
According to Ali Ahmed Masud, assistant commissioner of the Gulshan Zone under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), during interrogation Riyad had said that around 4-5 days ago, he had visited Shammi Ahmed’s house in Gulshan.
Shammi Ahmed’s husband reportedly told them, “You’re like sons to me. Let me entertain you—just don’t trouble my wife.” He then allegedly gave Riyad Tk 5 lakh.
Meanwhile, a video showing the extortion money being handed over has gone viral on social media.
In the video, two young men are seen receiving money in the guest room of a residence around 10am on July 17.
A police source confirmed that the footage was recorded at Shammi Ahmed’s house on Road 83 in Gulshan.
3 members expelled
The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has permanently expelled three members from organisational positions following their alleged involvement in the extortion of a former Awami League lawmaker.
In a press release signed by Office Secretary Shahadat Hossain on Saturday night, the organisation announced the expulsion of Dhaka Metropolitan unit convener Ibrahim Hossain Munna, along with members Md. Sakadaun Siam and Sadman Sadab, for violating organisational discipline and code of conduct.
The statement confirmed that movement president Rifat Rashid and general secretary Hasan Inam approved the decision, instructing all members across all levels to sever any organisational ties with the expelled individuals.