Gazipur Labour Leader Accused of Horrific Extortion Torture

A 30-year-old businessman from Sreepur, Gazipur, is undergoing emergency treatment under police guard after allegedly enduring a night of brutal torture by a local political activist and his gang over an unpaid extortion demand.

The victim, Sajeeb Mia, suffered catastrophic injuries during the ordeal. According to family members, his captors heated iron rods on a gas stove to inflict severe burn injuries across his body, fracturing his limbs and waist before turning him over to law enforcement under false pretences.

Extortion Demand Escalates to Abduction

The incident unfolded on the night of 21 July at approximately 10:30 pm in MC Bazar. Sajeeb’s father, Kafil Uddin, reported that Sharif Sarkar—a 43-year-old member of the Gazipur District Shramik Dal convenor committee—arrived at his son’s shop accompanied by several associates.

Sharif allegedly demanded 10 lakh taka in extortion money. When Sajeeb refused to hand over the cash, the gang launched an immediate assault with iron rods and wooden batons.

The attackers forced Sajeeb into a private vehicle and transported him to a torture cell beneath Sharif’s residence near the Swapnapuri Hotel. After learning of the abduction around midnight, Kafil Uddin searched several locations before finding his son being assaulted behind the hotel. Sajeeb’s cousin, Anis, was also beaten when he attempted to intervene.

Prolonged Violence and False Accusations

Sajeeb was subjected to continuous physical abuse throughout the night. At dawn, his captors summoned the police, handing him over under the claim that he was an Awami League politician implicated in an anti-discrimination movement murder case.

While Sajeeb managed business operations for an individual affiliated with the Awami League, his family maintains he holds no personal political ties. Recognizing the severity of his condition, police transferred him from Sreepur Upazila Health Complex to Shahid Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur.

Khaleda Akhtar, Victim’s Mother: “There is not an inch of my son’s body left untouched by violence. They heated iron rods on a gas stove and burned him in at least 100 places. They broke his arms, legs, and waist. His condition is extremely critical, and threats from the perpetrators initially prevented us from filing an immediate complaint.”

Judicial Rejection and Police Investigation

Police presented Sajeeb in court on Thursday to process his arrest in connection with the murder case. However, the presiding judge refused to remand him due to his extensive injuries, ordering that he remain under police custody at the hospital for medical treatment.

Sharif Sarkar denied personal involvement, claiming local activists merely detained Sajeeb over his alleged murder case involvement before handing him over to officers.

Mohammad Shahinur Alam, Officer-in-Charge of Sreepur Police Station, confirmed that an investigation is underway following a written complaint from the victim’s mother:

Mohammad Shahinur Alam, Officer-in-Charge: “Sajeeb was subjected to severe physical assault. He remains under police custody at the hospital, and the court is aware of his medical state. Although Sajeeb is named as an accused in the anti-discrimination murder case, that does not justify vigilante violence.”

District Shramik Dal Member Secretary Abul Kalam Pradhan distanced the organisation from the accused, stating that the political wing would not shield individuals from misconduct and promised internal disciplinary action following an inquiry.