Police have denied the abduction claim of Muhammad Mohebullah Miyaji, khatib of T&T Bazar Jame Mosque in Tongi, saying there is no evidence of kidnapping.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Additional Commissioner for Crime and Operations Mohammad Taherul Haq Chauhan made the statement at a press briefing at GMP headquarters on Tuesday, addressing the reported abduction and rescue of the khatib.
According to the briefing, Tongi East Police Station recorded a case after a complaint was filed claiming that the 60-year-old khatib was abducted on the morning of 22 October while on his morning walk. The complaint stated that an ambulance blocked his path near Shilmun Exos Link CNG Filling and Conversion Centre and that 4–5 unidentified men forced him into the vehicle, blindfolded him, and physically assaulted him.
He was later rescued by Panchagarh Sadar police after a local resident called the emergency number 999.
However, GMP officials said after analysing CCTV footage along his route and other locations, no sign of the alleged ambulance or abductors was found during the reported three-hour window. Police also examined video from Dhaka bus counters, Bogura hotels, bus driver statements and the khatib’s movement in Panchagarh.
Taherul Haq said footage showed the khatib leaving a bus station in Panchagarh late at night and walking alone. Suffering from prostate problems, he stopped to urinate by the roadside and removed some of his clothing due to discomfort. He then fell asleep on the street with a small padlock chain tied to his foot and later woke up at Panchagarh Sadar Hospital.
Police said his statements are being verified and it is yet to be determined if anyone else was involved or if there was any external influence behind his actions. The investigation is ongoing, and legal measures will be taken based on findings.
