Detectives have arrested an expelled leader of Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad in connection with a recent extortion case involving the family of former Awami League lawmaker Shammi Ahmed in Dhaka`s Gulshan area.
Jane Alam Apu, joint convenor of the student organisation, was arrested from the capital`s Wari area last night, said Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, reports The Daily Star.
Apu was expelled from the organisation on July 26 after the extortion allegations against him surfaced.
According to law enforcement officials, Apu and Abdur Razzak Riyad, an expelled leader of Students Against Discrimination (SAD), allegedly had been leading the extortion racket.
The group reportedly demanded Tk 50 lakh from the family of the former lawmaker and had already collected Tk 10 lakh before the matter came to light.
In the case filed by Shammi Ahmed`s husband, Siddique Abu Zafar, he stated that on July 17, several individuals identifying themselves as SAD members, arrived at their Gulshan residence and demanded the money. As Shammi was not home, the demand was made to Zafar.
"When I refused to pay, they labelled me an Awami League associate and continued to pressure me. Eventually, I paid Tk 10 lakh to Riyad," Zafar said in his statement.
He further alleged that the group returned on July 19 and banged on the door but left after he informed the police.
"On July 26, Riyad and others came again. I wasn`t home, but the security guard informed me. They demanded the remaining Tk 40 lakh and threatened to hand me over to the police if I didn`t pay. I called the police again, and five of them were arrested on the spot," Zafar added.
Apu reportedly managed to flee during that raid but has now been taken into custody.
