A Mirpur-based internet businessman, Mohammad Nawshad, has alleged that a local gang known as ‘Ashik Bahini’ demanded Tk10 lakh in extortion to take control of his business.
Nawshad made the allegations at a press conference held at the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) office at 11am on Friday. He claimed that the gang had threatened to shut down his business and warned him and his family members of consequences if the demand was not met.
Nawshad, who has been operating an internet service provider business named ‘Mopta Four’ for several years to support his family, said local criminals had been attempting to take over his business for the past year.
He alleged that he had received repeated threats both directly and over mobile phone calls. According to Nawshad, a top member of the Mirpur-based gang, known as Ashik, recently contacted him and demanded that he close the business and hand it over.
He further alleged that Ashik told him he would have to pay Tk10 lakh to continue operating the business, followed by a substantial monthly payment.
Nawshad also claimed that the group had been regularly threatening his family and submitting false complaints against him to law enforcement agencies.
He alleged that members of the gang had managed to get him detained and questioned by the Detective Branch (DB) of police based on false allegations of extortion and illegal possession of weapons. Nawshad said he was later released after explaining the situation, and a subsequent investigation found no evidence supporting the allegations.
The businessman further alleged that after failing to take control of his business directly, the group engaged a local drug dealer to create and circulate defamatory videos against him online. He also claimed that different individuals were being used to file false complaints against him at local police stations.
At the press conference, Nawshad urged law enforcement authorities to conduct a proper investigation into the alleged harassment and take necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of him and his family.
