Businessman threatened with killing of children over Tk 20 lakh extortion demand

A businessman in Chattogram's Bayezid Bostami area has received an extortion demand of Tk 20 lakh via WhatsApp, along with threats to kill his son, daughter and grandson. The threats were made from a foreign WhatsApp number by an individual identifying himself as Rayhan, an associate of fugitive top criminal Sazzad Ali, also known as Boro Sazzad, the businessman alleged.

The businessman, Maksud Chowdhury of the Mozzaffarnagar area, received the extortion call on August 31. The caller demanded payment and threatened to kill his children and leave their bodies on the road if he failed to pay. A general diary (GD) was filed at Bayezid Bostami Police Station on Thursday by Maksud's wife, Mahfuza Runa.

In the GD, Mahfuza Runa stated that a demand for Tk 20 lakh was made over WhatsApp, with threats to kill the couple's son and daughter and harm the entire family.

The caller identified himself as Rayhan and told Maksud that his people would keep track of his movements in Mozzaffarnagar and abduct and kill his son. He was also warned that no recommendation would save him.

Maksud Chowdhury said he is being threatened repeatedly, and his family has been living in fear. He has demanded that the culprits be identified and arrested. "I am not involved in politics now; I am a businessman," he said.

Bayezid Bostami Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Mostafa Kamal said a GD has been filed over the threats, and police have begun investigating to identify those behind them.

Earlier incidents of extortion threats and attacks have occurred in Chattogram. On August 11, shots were fired at a building gate in Hamzar Bagh area after a Tk 50 lakh extortion demand was not met. An audio message had earlier been sent to the building owner's son demanding the money within an hour. A case was filed against unidentified criminals.

On July 13, another construction site was attacked and vandalised after a Tk 20 lakh extortion demand was not paid.