Sirajganj BNP bigwig sued by party man for 'extortion'

Another BNP leader was sent to jail in Sylhet yesterday on charge of extortion.

In Sirajganj, a case was filed against advocate Mokaddes Ali for alleged extortion of Tk 61 lakh. Senior vice-president of district BNP and contractor Abdul Mannan submitted the complaint on Tuesday with Sirajganj Sadar police station, reports our correspondent.

Police said they have started investigation into the allegation. They however said Mokaddes is absconding since filing of the case.

In the complaint, Abdul Mannan, owner of Business Consortium Sol, said he purchased on auction a huge quantity of iron and sundries from Bangladesh Power Development Board office at Sirajganj on May 11, 2004.

He sold the goods to a businessman in Dhaka. BNP vice president Mokaddes Ali along with his cadres intercepted the 12 trucks carrying the goods to Dhaka and demanded Tk 80 lakh as toll.

As he refused, cadres of Mokaddes tortured labourers at the spot and picked up Habibur Rahman Habib, who purchased those, Mannan alleged.

Habib was taken to Malobika Rest House in Sirajganj town where he was confined for three days to realise the demanded toll money. Mannan alleged that Mokaddes' cadres threatened him and Habib with death if the demand is not fulfilled.

At one stage, he paid Tk 60, 80,170 to Mokaddes through Habib, Mannan said in the complaint.

Mannan also named some witnesses to the incident. They are four district BNP leaders--Sazirul Islam Alvi, Harun, Abdus Salam, Mozibor Rahman Lebu--and Habibur Rahman Habib, proprietor of Mss. Dweep Nagor Business Associate, House No. 15, Road No.-1, Nikunjo, Dhaka.

Mannan also mentioned in the complaint that Mokaddes became a multi-millionaire from an ordinary contractor in just five years of BNP rule through corruption, abuse of power and tender manipulation with the blessings of a former state minister and lawmaker from Sirajganj.

Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Abdul Mannan alleged that Mokaddes' cadres are threatening him with death for filing the complaint.

He demanded a fair investigation into the complaint and arrest of the accused.

When contacted, SI Jahangir, IO of the case, said, "I am hunting for the accused but her is absconding".

Our Staff Correspondent reports from Sylhet

General secretary of Companiganj upazila BNP Hanif Khondaker, arrested on Tuesday on charge of extortion, was sent to jail hajat yesterday.

Police picked him up from near the T & T office Tuesday evening on charge of demanding toll from freedom fighter Nur Hossain of Dhalarpar village.

In a complaint to police Nur alleged that Hnaif attempted to cut the road in front of his village home. As he tried to resist, Hanif assaulted him, demanded Tk 2 lakh toll and threatened him with dire consequences, Nur said in the complainant.

Police produced Hanif before a court yesterday which sent him to jail hajat.