A Dhaka court on Friday granted a four-day remand for expelled Jubo Dal leader Ferdous Ahmed Simon and a three-day remand for his three associates in connection with demanding Tk50,000 in extortion, striking a young man with a pistol butt, and firing blank shots in the capital’s Banglamotor area.
The court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Israt Jahan passed the order following a hearing after the case’s investigating officer, Md Nasim, sought a seven-day remand for the accused.
SI Arif Reza of the prosecution department confirmed the decision, mentioning that no defence lawyer represented the accused in court.
The three other accused in the case have been identified as Omar, Morshed, and Md Shawon.
According to the remand application, the incident occurred around 7:15pm on Thursday in front of a house in Banglamotor area under Hatirjheel Police Station, where the accused intercepted the plaintiff, Md Sohan.
Prime accused Ferdous Ahmed Simon demanded Tk50,000 in extortion from Sohan. When Sohan refused to pay, Simon pulled out a pistol, pointed it at his chest, and attempted to shoot.
At one point, Simon struck Sohan on the head with the butt of the pistol, while the other accused also physically assaulted him. As local residents approached the scene, the assailants fled, and the injured Sohan received first aid at a local pharmacy.
Sohan was later joined by his brother-in-law, Md Moktar Hossain, while heading for advanced medical care.
Simon and the other accused returned on a motorcycle and attempted to beat Sohan again. When Moktar intervened, he was also assaulted, during which Simon fired three blank rounds from his pistol.
Local residents chased and detained several of the suspects, including Simon, who was caught while attempting to flee. Upon receiving information, Hatirjheel police arrived at the scene and took them into custody.
Initial investigations revealed that the arrested individuals are active members of an organised gang of extortionists and terrorists.
Police said interrogating the accused is necessary to identify and locate others involved, arrest absconding suspects, and recover key case details.
Earlier on Thursday night, Hatirjheel Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Asaduzzaman confirmed that Simon had been taken into police custody following the incident in Banglamotor.
The OC said an altercation took place between Sohan and Simon in an alley on the north side of Banglamotor intersection, during which Simon allegedly struck him and fired blank shots.
