Cheating case against BNP lawmaker Mongu

Md Belal Hossain, the UP chairman from the same area, filed the case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Dhaka, accusing the lawmaker of embezzling Tk 18 lakh.

In his complaint, Belal alleged that Mongu borrowed a total of Tk 18 lakh from him on different dates during the period from July 13, 2001 to April 24, 2002 for election and business purposes, but now he has been dilly-dallying in paying back the money.

The UP chairman also stated that he sent a letter on December 25 last year asking Mongu to pay back the money. In response, Mongu gave him a death threat over cellphone, said Belal who sent a general diary (GD) to Muladi Police Station by post on January 3.

The same day the complainant's lawyer Dr Tuhin Malik sent a legal notice asking the lawmaker to pay back the money within seven days. But Mongu again gave him a death threat over cellphone on January 15, said the complainant.

After a hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mizanur Rahman recorded the statements of the complainant, took the complaint into cognisance and directed the Officer-in-Charge (OC) to take necessary steps against the accused after an investigation.

Advocate Khondaker Mohammad Ismail moved the case on behalf of the complainant.

When contacted, Mongu told The Daily Star that the charges brought against him are false, baseless and concocted. The complainant filed the case only to harass him and tarnish his image in society, he added.

"I never took money from him (Belal) for election and business purposes. Even I am not involved in any business," he said.

Mongu also said his lawyer has replied to the legal notice sent by Belal.