NCP leader in Bandarban gets 3-month prison for check scam

Md Shahidur Rahman Sohel, Chief Coordinator of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) Bandarban District Committee, has been sentenced to three months in prison and fined in a check fraud case involving Tk 2.18 lakh.

Joint District and Sessions Judge’s Court's Judge Md Nuru Mia pssed the order on May 26. An arrest warrant is scheduled to be issued against the convicted accused next week, Arun Bikash Talukder, court bench assistant, confirmed this to the media on Thursday (June 19).

Alongside the prison sentence, the court ordered Sohel to repay the full amount to the plaintiff, Md Harunur Rashid.

According to court documents, Sohel, a resident of Chairman Para in Bandarban Municipality, borrowed Tk 2.18 lakh from Harunur Rashid. After failing to repay the loan, Sohel issued a UCB Bank check during an arbitration meeting held on January 10, 2024, at the Municipality Market Building.

The plaintiff later deposited the check in three installments through Islami Bank, but each time it was dishonored due to insufficient funds. Following repeated failed attempts to recover the money, Rashid filed a check forgery case in the Bandarban court on February 26.

"The court has done justice. I had no choice but to seek legal action after being misled multiple times," said Rashid in response to the verdict.

Plaintiff’s lawyer, Md Khalilur Rahman, added that the court also issued an arrest warrant against Sohel for contempt of court, as he failed to appear during the trial proceedings.

Despite repeated attempts to contact Sohel via phone and WhatsApp, he could not be reached for comment.

Shahidur Rahman Sohel was recently appointed Chief Coordinator of the 29-member NCP Bandarban District Coordination Committee, a position announced officially on June 13.