Cop transferred for detaining, allegedly extorting businessman

A Sreepur police officer has been accused of handcuffing and extorting money from a businessman before releasing him.

The businessman, Sabuj Sarkar, 26, took a selfie while handcuffed during detention and shared it on his Facebook account. The photo went viral yesterday, drawing public attention to the incident.

Sreepur Police Station OC Joynal Abedin Mondal told The Daily Star today that Sub-inspector (SI) Abdul Quddus, in charge of Mauna police outpost, has been transferred to Gazipur police line over the allegations.

The incident occurred last Friday in the Hanu Market area of Nayanpur village in Sreepur upazila, where Sabuj runs a mobile phone accessories business.

According to Sabuj, SI Quddus detained him, handcuffed him, and tied him to an iron pipe at the police outpost. Sabuj alleged that the officer forcibly took Tk 2 lakh from him before releasing him.

"I was detained without any charges against me. The officer harassed me and extorted money due to a family land dispute involving a relative," he said.

The businessman claimed the money was returned after the detention, but he posted the selfie to highlight the alleged harassment.

In response, SI Abdul Quddus denied the allegations and told reporters that the claim of taking money is baseless. There was a clash between two parties over a land dispute, and police intervened to control the situation. Sabuj was detained briefly and later released.

No money was taken from him. These allegations are being made to tarnish the image of the police, he added.