$15,000 extortion demand preceded attack on Dr. Asadur

Professor Dr. Asadur Rahman, head of the ENT department at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, revealed that he received a text message demanding $15,000 in extortion prior to being assaulted. The message invoked the name of David Imon, a top terrorist operative based in Chattogram.

According to Dr. Asadur, the text set August 15 as the deadline to pay the demanded sum. Initially dismissing the threat as a hoax from an unverified group, he chose not to act on it. Two days after the deadline passed, on the night of August 17, he was ambushed in the Shantinagar area of the capital.

Describing the incident, the physician stated that after leaving his chamber at Popular Diagnostic Centre, four individuals intercepted his CNG-driven auto-rickshaw. They demanded he open the vehicle's door and proceeded to physically assault him upon compliance. The assailants falsely claimed he had provided improper medical treatment to a relative, though they failed to provide any specific details or patient identity.

Approximately an hour following the attack, Dr. Asadur received a text from the same phone number reading, "How do you feel now?" The following day, two additional messages were sent: "Do you want more trouble?" and "Should we send media personnel to you?"

Bystanders at the scene managed to detain one suspect, identified as Jibon, and handed him over to the police. During initial questioning, Jibon—a resident of Ramganj in Lakshmipur—disclosed that an individual informed him the doctor was wealthy and promised to buy him a mobile phone if he joined the group.

Dr. Asadur subsequently filed a case at the Paltan Police Station. While the official complaint mentions the $15,000 extortion demand, it omits the reference to David Imon and the text messages received after the assault.

Inspector (Investigation) Shafiqul Islam of Paltan Police Station stated that preliminary findings suggest the incident stemmed from a prior dispute, adding that the full motive will be uncovered once all suspects are apprehended. Unsatisfied with the progress of the local police investigation, Dr. Asadur has requested that the case be transferred to the Detective Branch (DB).

Sources close to the investigation indicated that analysis of technology and information gathered from interrogating Jibon led to the identification of a second suspect, whom law enforcement is currently attempting to arrest.