A leaked audio recording allegedly involving Faruk Hossain, president of the Lakshmipur district unit of the Youth Rights Council, has sparked controversy over an alleged demand for Tk500,000 from a person seeking to travel abroad. Hossain has subsequently been expelled from the organisation.
The recording, which has circulated widely on social media, contains a voice allegedly saying, “Five, it has to be five; this is Vice-President Nur’s instruction.” The reference appears to be to Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad.
In the recording, the speaker repeatedly addresses another person as ‘father’ while discussing arrangements for overseas employment. The conversation reportedly refers to submitting a passport, arranging a work permit and visa, obtaining police clearance and completing procedures related to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET).
The speaker is heard saying that Tk500,000 would initially be needed to cover the costs associated with those arrangements. The conversation also suggests that the remaining amount could be paid one or two months later.
The recording, however, raises several questions that remain unresolved. The identity of the person on the other end of the conversation has not been established. Nor has the complete recording been independently verified. It is also unclear whether the audio has been edited or manipulated, including through the use of artificial intelligence.
The circulation of the recording prompted widespread discussion on social media. Some users also alleged that Hossain had been regularly taking money from people by promising to arrange overseas employment. There is, however, no reliable evidence available to substantiate those wider allegations.
Following the controversy, Hossain was expelled from the Lakshmipur district unit of the Youth Rights Council. Naim Hossain Shanto, the organisation’s office secretary, announced the decision in a statement issued on the organisation’s letterhead on Monday afternoon.
Hossain has rejected the allegations and claimed that he is being targeted as part of a conspiracy because of his criticism of alleged corruption in Lakshmipur. He also alleged that the viral recording had been created using artificial intelligence technology.
According to Hossain, a man named Sakib from his area had asked him to arrange his passport. Hossain said he had told Sakib that the cost would be Tk5,000. He believes that the reference to Tk5,000 was subsequently distorted and presented as a demand for Tk500,000.
“I think the five thousand taka was turned into five lakh taka,” Hossain said, maintaining that a group was conspiring against him because he had spoken out about corruption in Lakshmipur.
Sakib also disputed the allegation concerning Tk500,000. He said Hossain had asked him for Tk5,000 and that there had been no demand for Tk500,000. He also questioned the nature of the recording, saying that there was no voice from the other side of the conversation.
Muntazul Islam, central general secretary of the Youth Rights Council, told the media at around 11pm that the organisation had listened to the audio. He said an initial assessment had found sufficient grounds for concern and that, after discussions at a higher level, the decision was taken to expel Hossain.
The controversy also drew a response from Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad and state minister for expatriates’ welfare. In a Facebook post, Nur said there would be no opportunity for anyone to escape accountability by using his name for personal financial gain.
Nur said Hossain had already been expelled from the organisation and that the superintendent of police in Lakshmipur had been asked to take legal action.
The dispute now hinges on the authenticity and context of the leaked recording. Hossain has described it as an AI-generated recording, while the organisation says its initial verification led to disciplinary action. Establishing whether the audio is genuine, complete and accurately represents the conversation would require independent technical examination and, if necessary, further legal investigation.
