In a shocking incident in Abhaynagar, Jashore, an expelled BNP leader and a local journalist stand accused of extorting Tk4 crore from businessman Shahnewaz Kabir Tipu after subjecting him to brutal torture – including burying him in sand and holding him at gunpoint.
The victim’s wife, Asma Khatun, was forced to approach the army after local police allegedly refused to accept her complaint.
The accused have been identified as Asaduzzaman Jony, the recently expelled organising secretary of Nawapara Municipal BNP, and Mofiz Uddin, general secretary of Nawapara Press Club. The victim, owner of Jafridi Enterprise in Nawapara, endured two separate extortion attempts according to his wife’s complaint filed at Rajghat Army Camp on July 31.
The harrowing ordeal began on September 2 last year when Tipu was summoned to Jony’s office by an associate named Soikat Hossain Hira. There, Johnny allegedly beat the businessman at gunpoint and demanded Tk2 crore, which was ultimately transferred via RTGS to Johnny’s company account at South Bangla Bank.
The extortionists struck again on September 18, intercepting Tipu near the Upazila Health Complex gate. For six hours, his phone remained unreachable until his wife discovered he had been taken to Jony’s Kona Eco Park.
There, along with accomplices including journalist Mofiz Uddin, Jony allegedly buried Tipu chest-deep in sand while demanding another Tk2 crore. Under duress, Tipu’s manager transferred Tk 68 lakh to Mofiz’s Pubali Bank account and Tk 32 lakh to his South Bangla Bank account, along with a Tk1 crore cheque. The captors also forced Tipu to sign six blank stamp papers before releasing him with death threats.
When contacted, Jony’s phone was switched off. District BNP President Sayed Saberul Haque Sabu distanced the party from Jony, stating he had already been expelled for anti-party activities. Mofiz Uddin denied the allegations, claiming only legitimate business transactions with Tipu.
Abhaynagar Police Station’s OC Abdul Alim confirmed receiving a verbal complaint but stated no formal case had been registered yet. The victim’s family continues to seek justice through military channels after what they describe as police inaction on their July 30 complaint.