Human chain against 4 jamaat leaders over allegation of embezzling 12 crore Tk

Victims have staged a human chain in front of Kurigram Press Club at noon on Wednesday in protest against the allegation of embezzling 12 crore Tk from about 150 people of Kurigram by giving assurance of investment in business against four leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami.

In this programme organized under the banner of ‘Victims Mazlum Family’, demands were made for return of the investment money, proper investigation of the allegation and trial of the involved persons.

The speakers at the human chain said that in 2020 Shahjalal Sobuj, assistant secretary of Kurigram district unit of Jamaat-e-Islami, working committee member Rafiqul Islam, Rokon Abdus Salam and former Baitul Mal member of central Chhatra Shibir Rafiqul Islam formed a business organization named ‘Vision Enterprise’. They alleged that 12 crore Tk was taken from about 150 people through the organisation.

The victims alleged that although profit was given for some time against the investment, it stopped after October 2024. On November 16 of that year the accused persons went into hiding and after that contact with them also stopped. They informed that they did not get any solution even after complaining to the district amir of Jamaat with the demand for return of the money.

Schoolteacher of Bhogdanga Mohafuzul Haque said that in 2022 he invested 9.5 lakh Tk in the presence of Rafiqul Islam and Shahjalal Sobuj. Profit of one thousand taka per lakh was given saying that profit would come from the dealership of several organizations. He received profit until October 2024. After that he found a lock when he went to the office of the organization.

Resident of Charjatrapur Moslema Begum said, “Several leaders-workers of Jamaat took 10 lakh Tk saying interest-free halal business. I gave the money by taking loan from retirement and NGO. For two years, let alone profit, I am not even getting the money back.”

Denying the allegation, Shahjalal Sobuj said, “Vision Enterprise is mainly the personal business of Rafiqul Islam of Rajarhat upazila. An attempt is being made to frame me.”

However, Rafiqul Islam said that four directors started the business by making a contract and two more persons used to serve as directors. His claim is that all six directors have taken benefits from the business.

Kurigram district Jamaat Ameer Azizur Rahman said that in the party investigation Rafiqul Islam has been expelled and the rokoniyat of Shahjalal Sobuj has been suspended for two months. No evidence of involvement of the other two has been found.

The district Jamaat Ameer informed about standing by the victims with just and legal measures regarding the return of the due money.