A striking administrative inconsistency has emerged in a long-running extortion and petrol bomb attack case in Chattogram’s Bayezid Bostami area, where a suspect currently held in prison continues to be shown as absconding in court records.
The case originates from 23 September 2019, when a petrol bomb was thrown at the second floor of a five-storey residence belonging to a businessman in the Oxygen Nayahat area of the city. Investigators alleged that the attack was carried out after a demand of 10 million taka in extortion money went unmet.
Following the incident, a case was filed under the Explosives Substances Act alongside extortion charges. After investigation, police submitted a charge sheet to the court on 18 October 2020, implicating nine individuals. According to the charge sheet, the attack was allegedly orchestrated under instructions from a senior criminal figure residing abroad, with Imtiaz Sultan Ekram accused of making extortion calls and coordinating the assault.
Over time, the case has evolved significantly. Several accused individuals have died, some have secured bail, and three remain officially listed as absconding. However, controversy has arisen over the status of Imtiaz Sultan Ekram.
Police and prison sources confirm that Ekram was arrested in February this year in connection with a separate arms case. During that arrest, authorities reportedly recovered a foreign-made pistol, magazines, and ammunition. He has remained in custody since then.
Despite this, court records in the extortion and explosives case have not been updated to reflect his detention. As a result, he continues to be legally recorded as a fugitive in that proceeding.
Legal experts argue that such an omission could have serious procedural consequences. If an accused already in custody is not formally shown as arrested or “shown arrested” in all relevant cases, it may create legal loopholes that could be exploited for bail applications or procedural delays.
Case Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | 23 September 2019 |
| Allegation | Petrol bomb attack over extortion demand |
| Case Type | Extortion and Explosives Substances Act |
| Charge Sheet Filed | 18 October 2020 |
| Total Accused | 9 persons |
| Currently in Custody | Imtiaz Sultan Ekram (in separate arms case) |
| Current Status in Case | Still listed as absconding |
Security and judicial sources further suggest that Ekram was previously associated with a senior overseas-based criminal network and allegedly coordinated extortion activities via phone calls from abroad. He is also linked to multiple cases involving murder, illegal arms possession, and sabotage-related offences.
Additionally, Rapid Action Battalion officials have indicated that he was once involved in operating organised youth gangs and is believed to have used multiple identities while travelling domestically and internationally.
Prosecutors have acknowledged the discrepancy and stated that corrective measures will be initiated promptly. Police authorities have also assured that necessary administrative steps will be taken to update his legal status in all relevant case files.
The incident has reignited concerns about coordination gaps between law enforcement agencies, prisons, and court record systems. Judicial observers warn that such inconsistencies not only delay proceedings but may also weaken prosecution efforts and allow procedural advantages to accused individuals in serious criminal cases.