A Dhaka court has framed charges against BM Mozammel Haque, former Shariatpur-1 lawmaker and Awami League organising secretary, in a case filed over the alleged extortion of Tk25 lakh.
Dhaka’s 14th Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court Judge Mahmuda Akter passed the order on Wednesday, Mozammel’s lawyer Md Liton Mia said.
He added, “Plaintiff Khalilur Rahman was present in court. He and the accused reached a compromise. Following the framing of charges, Khalilur gave his testimony. In the statement, he claimed Mozammel is innocent.”
Khalilur, a businessman, told the court that they had reached a compromise and he had no objection to the release of the accused. Saidur Rahman, an office assistant of the court, also confirmed the matter.
After recording the testimony, the court fixed 5 April for delivering the verdict.
According to the case, Mozammel allegedly summoned Khalilur to his Dhanmondi office through individuals affiliated with the Awami League (currently banned) and Chhatra League (also banned). He is accused of demanding Tk25 lakh from Khalilur, giving him three days to pay and threatening that he would otherwise be disappeared.
The allegations further state that Mozammel forced Khalilur to shut down his business by lodging complaints and issuing threats to the local business association in Shariatpur.
Mozammel was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) from Dhaka’s Niketan area on 5 October last year and has remained in prison since then.
