A local student political leader has been arrested in the Banaripara area of Barishal following allegations that he threatened a businessman and demanded extortion money using images of a pistol and bullets sent via mobile messaging applications. The incident has caused widespread concern among local residents and the business community.
The arrested individual, identified as Sabbir, had been serving as the organising secretary of Ward No. 9 of the local unit of the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, known as the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal. He is a resident of Machrang village under Sadar Union in Banaripara Upazila of Barishal District.
According to police sources, the incident began on the third day after Eid, when the victim, a businessman named Miraz, received a phone call in which the caller allegedly identified himself as Sabbir. During the call, he reportedly demanded BDT 20,000 as extortion money. Shortly afterwards, the businessman received further intimidation through WhatsApp, where images of a pistol and bullets were sent, accompanied by threats of physical harm if the demand was not met.
Frightened by the threats, the businessman discussed the matter with his family and subsequently lodged a general diary (GD) with the Kotwali Model Police Station under the jurisdiction of Barishal Metropolitan Police. Acting on the complaint, law enforcement agencies launched an investigation using digital tracking methods and intelligence surveillance to identify the suspect.
Following the investigation, police conducted a special operation late on Friday night (27 March), arresting Sabbir from his village home in Banaripara. During the raid, officers reportedly recovered a toy pistol along with three cartridges, which were seized as evidence. Police clarified that the pistol was not a real firearm but a replica weapon allegedly used to intimidate the victim.
Authorities stated that although the weapon was fake, it was deliberately used to create fear and pressure the victim into paying the demanded money. The seized cartridges have been retained for further forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
On Saturday (28 March), Sabbir was formally shown arrested in a case filed under extortion charges and was sent to prison through court order.
Case Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Accused | Sabbir |
| Position | Organising Secretary, Ward No. 9 unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal |
| Allegation | Extortion demand and intimidation |
| Amount demanded | BDT 20,000 |
| Communication method | Phone call and WhatsApp messages |
| Threat material used | Images of pistol and bullets |
| Arrest location | Banaripara, Barishal |
| Items recovered | Toy pistol and 3 cartridges |
| Case status | Sent to jail via court order |
The incident has sparked anxiety among local traders, many of whom believe that the use of digital platforms to issue threats and demand money is becoming increasingly common. Such practices, they say, are posing new challenges for maintaining law and order in semi-urban areas.
Police have confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with efforts underway to determine whether any other individuals were involved in the alleged extortion attempt.