Four individuals, including former coordinator Saiful Islam Rabbie, have been arrested in connection with extortion charges in Dhaka. The arrests took place on Sunday night, (28 September ), at around 9:30 PM from the Bashila Housing City area in Mohammadpur.
The other three arrestees are Hasibur Rahman Forhad (31), Abdur Rahman Manik (37), and Abu Sufian (29). Rabbie had previously been detained by Dhanmondi Model Police Station on charges of extortion after allegedly setting up a mob to demand money in the area. He was later released after signing a bail bond, facilitated by Hannan Masud, a leader of the National Citizens’ Party.
According to Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kazi Rafiq, the four were handed over to the police by the Army after being apprehended for extortion. A hospital owner had filed a case accusing the four of demanding money. “Rabbie has a previous extortion case filed against him,” the OC added. “We are following due legal process and will present them before the court.”
The incident occurred earlier on Sunday evening at ‘Safe Hospital,’ where the accused allegedly demanded money over the death of a child. Local sources revealed that the group, posing as coordinators, approached the hospital’s owner and demanded a bribe, threatening violence if their demands were not met. The hospital owner contacted the Army, who intervened and detained the four.
The complainant, Shipli Akter, explained that the group repeatedly requested money from her and her son, claiming to be part of a larger network. “They came multiple times demanding money,” Akter said. “When I refused, they returned with more individuals, and that’s when I called the Army, who arrived at the scene and took them to the police station.”
The accused individuals, all part of the anti-discrimination student movement in Mohammadpur, are now facing legal proceedings under extortion charges.
