Khulna: Ten police officials, including a former officer-in-charge (OC) of Terokhada Police Station, Sarder Mosharraf Hossain, have been accused in an extortion case. The case was filed by Terokhada Jubo Dal Joint Convenor Md Golam Mostofa Bhutto at the Judicial Magistrate in Khulna on June 25.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Judge Md Nazmul Kabir has acknowledged the case and has instructed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to conduct an investigation. Advocate Shahidul Islam, representing the complainant, confirmed the details of the case to the news agency.
Alongside the former OC, the accused include then-inspector (investigation) Md Alamgir Kabir, second officer Abdul Kaiyum, and sub-inspectors Chanchal Jumar Halder, Rubel, Enamul, Protap, Alif Ghosh, Mohammad Shahin Kadir, and Bishwajit Mitra. The former OC is currently serving in the crime branch of police in Khulna.
The case alleges that the accused police officials colluded to extort money from leaders and activists of the BNP and Jamaat. They threatened arrests and ‘crossfire’ killings during the previous Awami League government’s tenure unless the victims paid up. Specifically, the accused demanded Tk 5 lakh from the complainant and later increased the demand to Tk 10 lakh on June 20, 2023, implicating them in false cases when the amount was not paid.
In a striking detail, the officials allegedly filed a case against the deceased father of Terokhada Upazila BNP convener Chowdhury Fakhrul Islam Bulu, who passed away 11 years ago. The complainant, who claims to have paid Tk 1.50 lakh, was still accused of sabotage. He reported that similar tactics were used to extort money from other local BNP and Jamaat leaders.
With the situation having stabilized, the complainant has now sought justice through the court.