In a significant legal development in Manikganj, the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-4 has ordered that a married couple from Harirampur Upazila be held in judicial custody. The order follows allegations of a substantial overseas recruitment scam involving the embezzlement of 3.2 million Bangladeshi Taka. On Monday, 27 April 2026, the presiding judge rejected the defendants’ bail applications, citing the gravity of the accusations.
The individuals in custody have been identified as Md. Zohirul Islam, son of Salam Mulla, and his wife, Monowara Begum. Both are residents of Shatti village, situated within the Chala Union of Harirampur Upazila.
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Allegations of Deception and Financial Ruin
The case against the couple stems from a series of events involving their neighbours, Badal Biswas and Md. Delwar Hossain. According to court documents, the defendants allegedly enticed the victims with the prospect of high-salaried employment in Australia. Relying upon these promises of a prosperous international career, the victims reportedly transferred various sums of cash to the couple over several months, reaching an aggregate total of 3.2 million Taka.
The financial consequences for the victims have been catastrophic. Olid Biswas, a key complainant, described the lengths to which his family went to meet the defendants’ financial demands. He stated that the family was forced to liquidate their ancestral land and primary assets to provide the capital.
“In simple good faith, my father, my uncle Delwar, and I sold our land and properties to provide the 3.2 million Taka,” Olid Biswas explained. “They presented us with dreams of a golden future, but ultimately committed a profound deception. Having lost our means of support and resources, we are now destitute.”
Escalation and Alleged Threats
The investigation suggests that after the significant sum was paid, the defendants failed to provide any legitimate migration services or travel documents. When it became apparent that the promised employment was not forthcoming, the victims demanded the return of their passports and a full reimbursement of the funds.
Rather than complying with these requests, the accused couple allegedly initiated a campaign of intimidation. The complaint asserts that the defendants issued death threats and attempted to coerce the victims into silence to prevent legal repercussions. Faced with both financial insolvency and physical threats, the victims sought assistance from local community leaders before escalating the matter to the authorities.
Judicial Proceedings and PBI Investigation
The path to the courtroom began when the victims sought help at the local police station, where they were advised to seek a direct judicial remedy. Subsequently, a formal case was lodged with the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-3 in Manikganj.
The investigation was assigned to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), a specialised unit of the Bangladesh Police. Following a comprehensive probe, the PBI submitted a formal report to the court, providing evidence that corroborated the victims’ claims. Based on this investigative report, the court issued arrest warrants for both Md. Zohirul Islam and Monowara Begum.
Bail Rejection and Remand
On Monday, the defendants appeared before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-4 to surrender and formally petition for bail. However, after evaluating the PBI’s findings and the preliminary evidence of fraud and embezzlement, the judge denied the application.
The court noted the severe impact of the alleged crime on the victims’ livelihoods and directed that the couple be transferred immediately to the district jail. The victims have expressed relief at the court’s decision, voicing their hopes for a trial that results in the recovery of their funds and the delivery of a sentence that serves as a stern warning to others who might engage in similar fraudulent recruitment schemes.