Jubo Dal leader accused of torturing medicine trader for extortion in Gazipur

A local Jubo Dal leader, Fazlul Haque Roman, has been accused of calling a medicine trader to his office and torturing him for about six hours over an extortion demand in Sreepur, Gazipur. The victim's wife was also allegedly humiliated when she went to rescue her husband. The accused Jubo Dal leader has been on the run since the incident.

The victim, Md Atikul Islam (50), filed a written complaint with Sreepur Police Station on Thursday night, naming Fazlul Haque Roman and several unidentified individuals as accused.

Atikul Islam is the son of Abdul Latif of Maona Uttarpara area and runs a medicine shop at Government Market in front of Deku Garments. The accused, Fazlul Haque Roman (45), is the son of the late Alim Uddin of the same area and is the organisational secretary of Maona Union Jubo Dal.

According to the complaint, on September 1, when a woman asked for heart medication without a prescription, Atikul refused. The matter was later reported to Roman. Subsequently, on September 3, around 10am, Atikul was called to Roman's personal office near Maona Uttarpara Government Primary School.

Atikul alleged that he was abused and beaten with iron rods on both thighs at the office. He was confined from 10am to 3pm and tortured multiple times. He also alleged that the cash and stock worth Tk 50,000 from his business were taken. Later, he was demanded Tk 10 lakh as extortion and threatened with murder and disposal of his body if he failed to pay.

When family members went to the office after learning of his confinement, his wife protested and was also humiliated, Atikul alleged. He was later rescued by his elder brother, Md Shafiqul Islam, with the help of local dignitaries. He was taken to the emergency department of Sreepur Upazila Health Complex due to his deteriorating condition.

Following the incident, on the instructions of local MP Professor Dr SM Rafiqul Islam Bachchu, locals locked Roman's office on Friday afternoon. The MP also ordered strict legal action against the accused.

Attempts to contact Fazlul Haque Roman were unsuccessful, and Sreepur upazila Jubo Dal President Sarwar Hossain did not respond to calls for comment.

Sreepur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Shahinur Alam said the complaint is being investigated, and legal action will be taken quickly if the allegations are proven.