A leader of the Narayanganj metropolitan unit of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Krishak Dal has been arrested over allegations of demanding Tk2 million as a one-off payment and a further Tk200,000 every month from officials and employees of Padma Oil PLC’s Godnail depot in Siddhirganj.
Saiduddin Mohammad Faisal, member secretary of the organisation’s metropolitan unit, was arrested by the district Detective Branch (DB) police from the Siddhirganj area at around noon on Tuesday, 22 September.
Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police (DB) Md Hasinuzzaman confirmed the arrest. He said Faisal had been detained in connection with an extortion case and that further details would be disclosed later.
According to the complaint filed in the case, Mohammad Rafiqul Islam works as a checker at the Jet-A-1 point of the Godnail depot. The complaint alleges that Faisal contacted him by phone through WhatsApp at around 10am on 1 July and demanded Tk2 million as an initial payment from workers at the Jet-A-1 point, along with Tk200,000 every month.
The complainant alleged that Faisal threatened and intimidated the workers after they refused to comply with the demand. He was also accused of making repeated telephone calls at different times and renewing the alleged demands and threats.
The complaint further alleges that at around 11.15am on 1 August, Faisal entered the Jet-A-1 point at the Godnail depot accompanied by between 10 and 12 unidentified people. The group allegedly repeated the demand for Tk2 million as a one-off payment and Tk200,000 a month.
According to the allegations, employees refused to pay. They were then subjected to aggressive behaviour, while threats were allegedly made that they would not be allowed to continue working at the depot unless the money was paid.
The complaint also alleges that the workers were warned that they could be killed and their bodies disposed of if they reported the matter to police or filed a case.
The allegations have yet to be established through investigation or judicial proceedings. Faisal’s arrest means the case has now entered another stage, with investigators expected to examine the claims made by the complainant and gather evidence relating to the alleged demands and threats.
People familiar with the matter have also alleged that Faisal had previously faced accusations involving demands for money and threats.
In March, Delwar Hossain Bhuiyan of Siddhirganj reportedly alleged that Faisal and his associates had been demanding money from his dredging business. He had also said that he intended to submit a complaint to the police over the matter.
Another allegation concerns an incident at the Godnail depot on 1 August. Faisal and his associates were accused of entering the depot following a dispute over changes to personnel at the ATF delivery point. According to the allegation, Faisal, his associate Sajib Bhuiyan and between 15 and 20 others entered the depot and threatened newly appointed employees, telling them to leave the premises.
The latest case centres on the alleged demands made to employees at the Jet-A-1 point, including the claim for a substantial initial payment followed by a fixed monthly amount. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged visits, telephone communications and threats, as well as the identities and roles of the other people named or described in the complaint.
Police have so far confirmed Faisal’s arrest but have not provided further details about the investigation. The allegations against him remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
