Two leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami were detained and publicly humiliated by locals in Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur on Saturday night (May 17), after being caught allegedly trying to secretly remove goods from a cooperative society’s shop.
Locals put garlands made of shoes around their necks — a form of public disgrace — and images and videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media.
The incident took place in Balijhuri Bazar, where the two individuals were reportedly removing items worth several lakh taka from a readymade garment store named ‘One A’, located beneath the office of Al Aqaba Cooperative Society.
One of the detainees was identified as Mokaddes Hossain, the Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer (chief) of the Jamalpur city branch. The other is believed to be his associate.
According to Rakibul Islam A. Rahim, a customer of the cooperative, the men were caught red-handed by depositors and tied up inside the shop. Mokaddes Hossain claimed he had a business partnership in the store.
Another depositor, Azaharul Islam, alleged that officials of the Al Aqaba Cooperative Society had embezzled Tk 700 crore from thousands of depositors.
Tempted by high interest rates, many rural residents had deposited money. About a year ago, the office shut down and the officials went into hiding.
Officer-in-Charge of Madarganj Police Station, Hasan Al Mamun, confirmed the two were handed over to the police and legal proceedings are underway. Attempts to get a statement from Jamaat leaders were unsuccessful.
