Expelled Jubo Shramik Dal leader Pintu arrested over extortion case

Police have arrested expelled Jubo Shramik Dal leader Mohammad Ali Kaisar Pintu in a case filed over an alleged demand for Tk 10 lakh in extortion and vandalism at the office of the Inter-District Truck Owners Association in the capital's Mohammadpur.

Pintu was arrested in the case and later handed over to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB), Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Abdul Halim said.

According to the case statement, Pintu and several others allegedly went to the association’s office at Bhanga Mosque Truck Terminal in Sat Masjid Housing around 5pm on August 31 and demanded Tk 10 lakh from its members.

The complainant, association member Md Belayet Hossain, alleged that Pintu and the other accused had previously demanded the same amount and threatened the association members on several occasions.

On the day of the incident, the accused allegedly demanded Tk 10 lakh and insisted that Tk 5 lakh be paid immediately. When the members refused, they allegedly vandalised the office, damaging tables, chairs and banners and causing an estimated Tk 20,000 in losses.

Belayet also alleged that he was beaten with sticks during the incident. He was later rescued by association President Manowar Hossain Montu, Secretary Zahir Hossain and Drivers’ Association President Md Nushu Mia, along with others.

Police said Pintu has at least eight previous cases filed with Mohammadpur Police Station. His name also appears eighth on a local police list of alleged top extortionists in the Mohammadpur area.

Pintu was expelled from the post of Mohammadpur Thana Jubo Shramik Dal convener and from the party’s membership on May 8 last year over allegations of violating party discipline.