BNP leader suspended over looting of 155 sacks of rice

Ruhul Kuddus, the vice president of the Sharsha Upazila unit BNP and also a former chairman of Kayba Union Parishad, along with his brother Ibadul Islam Kalu, has allegedly looted 155 sacks of rice from a dealer under the food-friendly program in Jashore.

Later, they returned the stolen rice on Wednesday (March 5) following pressure from the administration. However, when the news spread later that night, the Jashore District unit BNP suspended Ruhul Kuddus from his party position.

Shahjahan Kabir, a rice dealer for the food-friendly program in wards 1, 2, and 3 of Kayba Union, claimed that several trolleys loaded with rice were sent from the Bagachra food depot to his dealer point. Upon reaching the Bakultala area, BNP leader and former chairman Ruhul Kuddus, along with his brother Ibadul Islam Kalu, halted the trolleys. They allegedly held the driver hostage and offloaded 155 sacks of rice into their own warehouse.

When Shahjahan called Ruhul Kuddus for clarification, he was insulted and threatened. Following this, Shahjahan reported the matter to the authorities, and after about an hour and a half, he was able to recover the rice.

Ibadul Islam Kalu claims that he owed money to dealer Shahjahan Kabir, so he halted the trolleys and offloaded the rice. However, dealer Shahjahan Kabir states that Ibadul's claim has no basis.

BNP leader Ruhul Kuddus claims that the allegations are entirely false and fabricated. He stated: "I did not loot any rice. My brother owed money to the dealer, which is why the trolley was halted. The rice has since been returned.'

Sharsha Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) M Rabiul Islam said that the UNO asked him to take action to recover the rice. Soon after, he learned that the rice trolleys had been released. Action will be taken if a written complaint is filed at the police station.

Sharsha Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kazi Najib Hasan reported that upon hearing the matter, he instructed the OC of Sharsha Police Station to take measures to recover the rice.

Meanwhile, following the allegations of rice theft, the BNP suspended Ruhul Kuddus from his party position. This information was announced in a statement signed by Delwar Hossain Khokon, the General Secretary of Jashore District BNP, on Wednesday night.