A court in Chattogram has directed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to conduct a fresh inquiry into a case involving allegations of extortion, abduction, and threats of extrajudicial killing filed by a physician against several individuals, including former police personnel.
The order was issued on Monday by Chattogram Judicial Magistrate Shakhawat Hossain. The case concerns allegations that a total of six individuals, including a former officer-in-charge of Rauzan Police Station, were involved in demanding extortion money and subsequently implicating the complainant in a false criminal case.
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Case Background
The complainant, physician Jahangir Alam, filed the case on 3 September 2024. According to the statement of allegations, the incident dates back to 15 April 2015. At that time, Dr Alam was attending patients at his private chamber in Noapara, Rauzan.
It is alleged that Sub-Inspector Totaon Majumder of Rauzan Police Station demanded BDT 3 million from Dr Alam, citing his alleged involvement in the local BNP committee. The complaint further states that Dr Alam was threatened with extrajudicial killing if the demanded money was not paid.
Subsequently, Dr Alam alleges that he was detained in plain clothes and physically assaulted. He further claims that, with the involvement of other accused persons, a false criminal case was filed against him. The allegation against him at the time was that he had allegedly snatched BDT 15,000 from a driver named Russell associated with a diagnostic centre.
However, Russell later submitted an affidavit to the court stating that he did not know anyone named Jahangir Alam and that no money had been taken from him.
Earlier Judicial Proceedings
On 29 August, the court rejected the case at an earlier stage. Later, on 26 November last year, investigating officer Sub-Inspector Hossain Ibn Nayeem Bhuiyan submitted a final report recommending closure of the case.
Following this, the complainant filed a no-confidence petition challenging the investigation report. After hearing the petition, the court directed the PBI to conduct a fresh investigation into the matter.
Dr Alam’s lawyer, Mohammad Rasel, confirmed the court’s order.
Accused Individuals
| Name | Designation/Position |
|---|---|
| Pradip Kumar Das | Former Officer-in-Charge, Rauzan Police Station |
| Totaon Majumder | Sub-Inspector |
| Shafayet Ahmed | Sub-Inspector |
| Fazlul Karim (Babul) | Chairman, Pioneer Hospital |
| Manzur Hossain | Director, Pioneer Hospital |
| Md Jahangir Alam | Supervisor, Pioneer Hospital |
Statements and Denials
Dr Jahangir Alam stated that the case had severely affected his professional life. He claimed he was unable to continue seeing patients at his chamber for nearly ten years following the incident and called for a proper investigation to identify those responsible.
He said the authorities should determine who orchestrated the alleged false case and ensure they are brought to justice.
The accused police personnel, when contacted regarding the allegations, denied all claims made by the complainant.