BHOLA — A formal allegation has been lodged against Motahar Hossain Alamgir Malatia, the former General Secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Char Fasson Upazila unit, concerning an attempted forceful occupation of a commercial property and the physical assault of its proprietor. The accusations were detailed during a press conference held at the Char Fasson Press Club on Friday, 24 April 2026.
The complainant, Md Salam, presented a written statement during the briefing, asserting that his family has maintained uninterrupted legal possession of a retail outlet in the Kapuria Patti area of Char Fasson municipal town for approximately 55 years. The property was originally established and registered under the name of his late father.
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Allegations of Forceful Occupation and Harassment
According to the testimony provided by Md Salam, the dispute intensified following the significant political shifts in the country on 5 August 2024. Salam alleged that Alamgir Malatia sought to leverage his political standing to forcibly evict the family from their long-held premises. During this period, the accused reportedly placed a padlock on the establishment, effectively preventing the family from conducting their business.
Md Salam further explained that whilst the family managed to regain physical control of the shop following the national elections, the harassment continued. On 7 April 2024, Malatia allegedly approached the shop’s current tenant, asserting ownership of the property and demanding the payment of monthly rent. When the tenant refused to comply, citing the existing ownership agreement with Salam’s family, the accused reportedly subjected the tenant to aggressive verbal abuse.
Incident of Physical Assault
The situation reportedly escalated when Md Salam arrived at the location to address the disturbance. Salam stated that rather than engaging in a civil discussion regarding the property’s legal status, Alamgir Malatia resorted to physical violence.
“When I arrived at the location to address the matter, Alamgir Malatia assaulted me severely,” Salam reported during the press conference. “Following the attack, I was required to seek primary medical treatment at a local hospital.”
The victim has formally petitioned the authorities to ensure the safety of his family and to protect their commercial interests from further political interference or extrajudicial attempts at dispossession.
Defence and Counter-Allegations
In response to these accusations, Motahar Hossain Alamgir Malatia denied any wrongdoing and characterised himself as the target of a co-ordinated conspiracy. He maintained that the land in question is legally documented as his family’s ancestral property.
Malatia countered the claims by suggesting that the current occupants are “opportunists” who align themselves with whichever political administration is in power to maintain control over contested lands. Regarding the ownership status, he remarked:
“I am a victim of a conspiracy. These lands are legally ours according to our deeds. If the government had acquired this land, it would be for public use. However, a certain quarter exploits political transitions to enjoy these properties illegally. I intend to pursue this matter through legal channels and I have not demanded any extortion from anyone.”
Context of Regional Property Disputes
Property disputes involving local political figures are a recurring issue in the Bhola district, often coming to the fore during periods of national political transition. The Kapuria Patti area, serving as a primary commercial hub in Char Fasson, remains particularly susceptible to such conflicts.
As of 24 April 2026, the local police administration has not confirmed whether a formal First Information Report (FIR) has been registered following the press conference. Legal experts suggest that the resolution of such cases requires a dual process: a civil court verification of land titles and a criminal investigation into the specific allegations of physical assault and harassment.
The briefing at the Char Fasson Press Club concluded with Md Salam urging the senior leadership of the BNP and the local administration to intervene, preventing political affiliation from being used to influence private property matters. Conversely, Malatia maintained that his actions are strictly aimed at reclaiming documented legal rights through the appropriate judicial framework.