A case has been filed against Mohammad Arman Uddin, personal assistant to Shahjahan Chowdhury, a Member of Parliament for Chattogram-15 and a member of Jamaat-e-Islami’s central working council, over an alleged demand for Tk20 million in extortion. Six others have also been named as defendants in the case.

The allegations include forcibly entering a shop, removing goods and cash, pressuring tenants and threatening to prevent the owner from retaining possession of his property unless the alleged extortion demand was paid.

The case was filed on Sunday (23 August) by Amir Hossain, an expatriate from the Amirabad area of Lohagara, at the court of Judicial Magistrate Khadija Akter in Chattogram. The matter came to light on Monday (24 August).

According to the complainant’s lawyer, Kabir Jilan, the court recorded Amir Hossain’s statement and directed the Assistant Superintendent of Police of the Satkania Circle to investigate the allegations. The case has therefore moved into the investigation stage, during which the claims will have to be examined and evidence assessed.

Allegations over property and shop

According to the case statement, Amir Hossain owns a four-storey building in the Aziz Complex area of Lohagara. Several shops operate on the ground floor, while other parts of the building are occupied by tenants.

The complainant alleged that after returning to Bangladesh following a prolonged period abroad, he began receiving demands for Tk20 million from a group allegedly led by Arman Uddin and including Arif Uddin.

One of the incidents cited in the case allegedly occurred at around 2am on 3 April. The defendants allegedly broke the lock of a shop operated by a tenant named Obaidul on the ground floor of the market and entered the premises.

The complaint states that a steel cupboard, wall showcase and other items were allegedly taken from the shop. Their estimated value was put at Tk11,586,659. The defendants were also accused of taking Tk120,000 in cash kept inside the shop, including money from the cash counter. A new lock was allegedly fitted after the original one was broken.

Hossain further alleged that pressure was subsequently placed on other tenants concerning the payment of rent. According to the complaint, these actions created concerns over control of the building and the security of those occupying it.

Alleged threat over Tk20 million

The case statement says the defendants held a meeting at the complainant’s market at around 9am on 20 August. During the meeting, Arif Uddin allegedly warned that the shops and residential premises would not be relinquished unless Tk20 million was paid.

Arman Uddin was also accused of contacting Hossain by mobile phone and pressuring him to comply with the group’s demands.

The complainant further alleged that the defendants assaulted him with kicks and punches, causing injuries to different parts of his body. These allegations, however, remain unproven and are subject to investigation.

Six other individuals have been named alongside Arman Uddin: Mohammad Arif Uddin, Shawkat Ali, Mohammad Adil, Mohammad Anwar and Zainal Abedin. The case statement attributes different alleged actions to the group, while the investigation will determine the extent of each person’s involvement.

Hossain said he approached the court after, according to him, his attempt to have a case registered at the police station over the alleged extortion demand did not receive a response. He called for an impartial investigation and legal action based on the findings.

Attempts were made to obtain Arman Uddin’s response to the allegations. His mobile phone could not be reached, and he did not respond to a subsequent text message. His side of the case was therefore unavailable at the time of reporting.

The allegations contained in a criminal complaint do not, by themselves, establish guilt. The court’s investigation order means the claims will now be examined by the relevant police authorities. Evidence gathered during that process will be crucial in determining whether the alleged extortion, property damage, removal of goods and assault took place as described.

The case remains under investigation.